Cash dispensing automated banking machine deposit printing system and method

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine which dispenses cash and includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area ( 132 ) in the machine through a transport ( 124 ) and which are presented to the user through an opening ( 244 ). A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening ( 244 ) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container ( 128 ). The deposited items may be marked by an inkjet printer with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item. The operation of the printer is caused by a controller ( 56 ) which controls the operation responsive to one or more environmental parameters.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofProvisional Applications 60/592,736; 60/592,767; 60/592,766; and60/592,635 filed Jul. 29, 2004, the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically theexemplary form of this invention relates to systems and associatedmethods for accepting items for deposit into a cash dispensing automatedbanking machine as well as for printing indicia on such items or otheritems that may be useful in conducting transactions.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A common type ofautomated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs areused to carry out banking transactions on a self service basis. ATMs maydispense cash to users from their account. Some ATMs may acceptdeposits. Other ATMs may perform functions such as dispensing stamps,printing tickets, producing scrip, cashing checks, printing money ordersand performing other types of transactions. For purposes of thisdisclosure any machine which is capable of carrying out transactionsinvolving transfers of value is referred to as an automated bankingmachine.

Automated banking machines which accept deposits often require the userto input a deposit item into the machine in which it is processed and/orstored for later removal by authorized persons. Sometimes the deposititem may be an envelope or other container which holds deposit contenttherein. Such content may include items of value such as cash, checks,money orders, gift certificates, coupons, coin or other types ofinstruments. When deposit items are deposited in this manner the user issometimes required to provide inputs through input devices on thebanking machine indicative of the value associated with the item that isbeing deposited. Typically this is a total value of the cash, checks orother content within the deposited item. The automated banking machinemay store the information about the indicated deposit value and/or mayprint value information on the deposited item along with a transactionnumber, account number or other information that allows the deposit tobe traced back to a user and/or a particular transaction.

In order to verify the indicated deposit value, the operator of thebanking machine often must later recover the deposit item from a storagearea within the machine. The operator opens the deposit item anddetermines if the content and the actual deposit value thereofcorrespond to the indicated deposit value. In most cases the actualdeposit value corresponds to the indicated deposit value and thecustomer's account is credited accordingly. In other instances adiscrepancy is noted between the actual deposit value and the indicateddeposit value. In such cases the customer may be notified as to theamount of credit that they will be given for the deposit instead of theindicated deposit value that was provided to the machine.

Sometimes when deposited items are removed from the banking machine, theitems are damaged. Such damage may include for example a torn orotherwise open envelope. In some cases the deposit item or the remnantsthereof may not contain any deposit content. In some cases the depositcontent may be loose in the storage area in the banking machine. Inother cases the content may not be found at all.

Deposited items are sometimes removed from the banking machine in atamper indicating deposit holding container and are transported to aremote location for verification. In other situations the depositeditems may be transferred to a bag or other container at the site of theautomated banking machine. The items may be taken to a remote locationfor verification of the contents of the deposited items.

In some circumstances at the remote location the content of a damaged oropen deposit item may not be found. This may present issues as towhether the customer may have deliberately deposited an empty anddamaged envelope into the banking machine. Alternatively questions mayarise as to whether the persons responsible for removing deposits fromthe machine may have wrongfully taken the deposit content. Finallyquestions may arise as to whether persons responsible for verifying theamount of the deposit may have lost or misappropriated the content ofthe deposit item. In some circumstances because responsibility for themissing content cannot be established, the operator of the ATM maychoose to credit the customer for the indicated deposit value eventhough the deposit content has never been found. In some circumstancesthe user may be perpetrating a fraud by deliberately attempting todeposit a damaged deposit item.

Damage to deposit items may be caused by a number of factors. Theinclusion of various types of deposit items such as envelopes containingfolded notes or sheets or coins may result in irregularly shaped deposititems. The envelopes holding such items may be subject to tearing due totheir irregular contours. The tearing of such irregular shaped envelopedeposit items may further contribute to uncertainty as to the content ofdeposit envelopes.

A further potential issue with deposits is that a banking machinecustomer wishing to make a deposit may not have an envelope available.Although envelope supplies may be provided, such open supplies may besubject to vandalism and/or removal of all the deposit envelopes. Suchopen supplies may also result in unused envelopes being littered aboutthe area of the banking machine which provides an unattractiveappearance.

Further issues may arise due to the inability to mark appropriateindicia on deposit envelopes. While different types of printing deviceshave been used for marking such envelopes, it is not uncommon for suchprinting devices to experience difficulties which result in a lack oflegible printing of information on deposit envelopes.

Depository envelopes are also often difficult to dispense. This issometimes due to the desire to dispense envelopes with peel-off orfold-open adhesive for holding envelope flaps in a secure condition. Theuse of such peel-off or other adhesive may avoid the need for users tolick or otherwise provide water to seal an envelope. The use of suchenvelopes may be desirable to provide more sanitary conditions. However,the presence of such adhesive mechanisms may present challenges intransporting and dispensing empty envelopes to users of the bankingmachine.

Deposit items often have significant value. For this reason, criminalsmay attempt to utilize fraud devices to obtain deposit items. Forexample, criminals may attempt to place items within a depositoryopening to capture deposit items so that they may be removed.Alternatively, criminals may attempt to utilize devices to fish outdeposited items that have already been moved into a storage area withinthe machine.

The acceptance of deposits in automated banking machines also posesadditional challenges. Some depositories may be difficult to repair orreplace. Further, containers utilized for holding deposit items may besubject to abuse or tampering.

Further features of existing banking machine depositories and systemsmay benefit from improvements.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide an automatedbanking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that records information concerning propertiesof deposit items.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide anautomated banking machine that measures and records a thickness propertyof deposited items. It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment toprovide an automated banking machine that records information concerningproperties of deposited items for purposes of later comparison andverification.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a methodfor verifying deposits into an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a methodfor recording properties of items deposited into an automated bankingmachine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a methodfor determining the thickness of a deposited item when deposited into anautomated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a methodfor determining responsibility for missing content of items depositedinto an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide adepository for use in conjunction with an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide adepository for an automated banking machine that delivers to the user anenvelope at the time when a user wishes to make their deposit.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide adepository for an automated banking machine that will reliably handleenvelopes of non-uniform contour.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide adepository for an automated banking machine that provides enhancedsecurity.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment to provide adepository for use in conjunction with an automated banking machine thatprovides greater reliability in printing indicia on deposited envelopesor other items.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in thefollowing Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.

Certain of the foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplaryembodiment by an automated banking machine that accepts deposit itemssuch as envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the user provides inputsthrough one or more input devices on the machine that identify a userand/or their account(s). Inputs through input devices on the machine mayalso include an indicated deposit amount associated with a deposit item.

The deposited item in an exemplary embodiment is accepted in the machineand is sensed for thickness and/or other properties at one or morelocations on the deposited item. Information regarding thickness and/orother properties is recorded. In some embodiments the thicknessinformation or other sensed parameters may be recorded by printing orother means directly on the deposited item. Alternatively in someembodiments the information recorded on the deposited item may becorrelated with thickness and/or other sensed information recorded in amemory accessible by a computer.

In an exemplary embodiment the deposited item is stored with otherdeposited items in a storage area in the automated banking machine.Subsequently the deposited item is removed from the storage area by anauthorized person and opened or otherwise reviewed for verification. Thethickness data and/or other parameters related to each deposited itemmay be reviewed for purposes of determining the content of the item atthe time of deposit. For example thickness information recordedconcerning a deposit envelope that is empty and damaged at the time ofverification will indicate if the envelope contained materials at thetime of deposit. This may be done for example by comparing the measuredthickness of the damaged envelope to the recorded thickness information.Similarly the thickness information and/or other parameters recordedconcerning an envelope that is undamaged but open at the time ofverification, will indicate whether the envelope contained items at thetime of deposit. Likewise envelopes which are damaged or open at thetime of the verification process may be analyzed by comparison to thestored data to determine if items have been removed since the time ofdeposit in the machine. Various approaches may be taken depending on theparticular system and type of deposited items.

In further exemplary embodiments a deposit mechanism is provided thatholds a store of deposit envelopes or other suitable deposit holdingcontainers within the interior of the machine. At the time when the userwishes to make a deposit, the machine operates so as to separate asingle deposit envelope from the supply and to deliver it out of themachine to the user. Thereafter the user may place items for depositwithin the envelope and deliver the deposit into the machine through thesame opening through which the envelope was delivered.

In an exemplary embodiment a transport is provided that is capable ofdelivering the empty envelopes as well as transporting filled regular orirregular envelopes containing deposit material to a storage location.Further in some exemplary embodiments security features are provided soas to minimize the risk that criminals can obtain unauthorized accessthrough the transport to deposited items. In addition in some exemplaryembodiments provisions are made to assure more reliable printing ofindicia on deposited envelopes by capturing excess ink or othermaterials in an area away from deposited items and/or by providingappropriate tending for a device which prints indicia on the depositenvelopes.

In some exemplary embodiments provisions are made to assure morereliable printing of indicia on deposited items by controlling operationof an inkjet printer in response to parameters associated with theenvironment in which the ATM operates. These environmental parametersmay include temperature, humidity and operation at higher elevations.Inkjet printers may be controlled to provide reliable printing ofindicia on deposit items such as envelopes, checks and currency bills aswell as on other items such as customer receipts and transactionstatements.

Of course it should be understood that the devices, systems and methodsdescribed are exemplary and that the principles described may be appliedto other systems and/or that additional features and functions may beused.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automated banking machine in operativeconnection with an ATM transaction network.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a deposit item transport and componentsfor measuring properties of a deposited item and for recording indiciaon the item.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a deposited item that has recordedindicia thereon corresponding to thickness and to a particulartransaction.

FIG. 4 is a graph representative of thickness of a deposited item overdistance or time as the item passes a sensor of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view representative of detected properties ofan exemplary deposited item including instruments such as checks.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a deposited item upon whichmachine-readable indicia representative of properties of the item havebeen recorded, and a reading device for reading the machine-readableindicia and for recovering information concerning properties of thedeposited item from a memory.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary deposited item that isdamaged and which includes information concerning thickness recordedthereon which suggests that the item was empty at the time of deposit inthe automated banking machine.

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of an alternative deposit mechanismwhich is operative to dispense deposit empty envelopes to a user of anautomated banking machine.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an envelope dispensing mechanism portionof the deposit accepting mechanism shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an alternative isometric view of the envelope dispensingmechanism.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism shownin a position for dispensing an envelope.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism shown in aposition dispensing an envelope.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the envelope dispenser mechanism andtransport shown with an envelope that has moved from a position from thesupply of envelopes moving in a transport toward a customer.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanismoperating to minimize the risk of additional envelopes leaving thesupply with a first picked envelope.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a base assembly used in conjunction withthe exemplary deposit accepting mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view further showing the base assembly andenvelope supply for and printhead tending actuator arm used in anexemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a curved portion of an envelope transportused in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of the depositaccepting mechanism.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the envelope transport portion shown inFIG. 19 with an envelope shown therein and a schematic representation ofthe forces which act on such envelope.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the transport shown in FIG. 20 along withthe transport belt and rollers used in conjunction therewith.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of features adjacent the outer end of theenvelope transport including the belts and rollers adjacent thereto.

FIG. 23 is a right side schematic view showing the outer portion of thetransport including a gate in an open position enabling items to bedelivered from or deposited into the transport.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the translation of rollers adjacentto the outer end of the transport which may occur due to the acceptanceof the regularly shaped deposited items.

FIG. 25 is a front plan view of the outer end of the transport includingthe gate associated therewith shown with the gate in an open position.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the outer end of the transport showingacceptance of an irregularly shaped deposit envelope including coin.

FIG. 27 is a view of the outer end of the transport showing acceptanceof an irregularly shaped deposit envelope including sheets and thedisplacement of the roller shaft associated with such acceptance in amanner similar to that shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of rollers and a supporting shaft which maybe used in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of the envelopedepository system.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the rollers shown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the mounting of the rollers shown inFIG. 28 on the shaft.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view showing alternative rollers utilizingsimilar mounting features to those shown in connection with the rollersin FIG. 28-30.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an alternative exit end construction foran envelope transport system including members that facilitateacceptance into the transport of irregularly contoured items.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the structures shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is an alternative structure for an outer end of a transportincluding transversely disposed envelope guides to facilitate theoutward travel of envelopes that may be misaligned in the transport.

FIG. 35 is a further isometric view of the outer end of the transportshown in FIG. 34 including the envelope guides.

FIG. 36 is an end view demonstrating the operation of the disclosedenvelope guides in connection with handling envelopes which are notaligned.

FIG. 37 is a top schematic view showing the outer end of the transportwith an envelope in misaligned relation therewith.

FIG. 38 is a top view of the transport with the guides showing themisaligned envelope moved further into the transport.

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the outer end of the transport showing themisaligned envelope in connection therewith, the transport in FIG. 39not including the guides shown in FIG. 34.

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the envelope transport with the envelopeshown in FIG. 39 moved further into the transport.

FIG. 41 is an end view of the transport shown in FIG. 39 andrepresenting the condition that may occur with regard to rejecting amisaligned envelope or in dispensing a misaligned envelope if the guidesshown in FIG. 34 are not used.

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of the construction of the supporting basefor the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 43 is a bottom isometric view demonstrating the assembly of thecomponents of the base used in the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 44 is a side view showing the assembled members making up the baseof the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 45 is an isometric view showing the outer end of the transportincluding overlying bezel and movable gate portions.

FIG. 46 is an isometric view schematically showing the componentsassociated with movement of the gate which selectively blocks access tothe transport.

FIG. 47 is a side view showing the transport gate in a fully openposition.

FIG. 48 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the gate in apartially open position.

FIG. 49 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the transport gate inan open position.

FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG. 47 with the gate in a fully closedposition in which the gate engages with adjacent structures so as tominimize the risk of unauthorized access to the transport.

FIG. 51 is a side schematic view showing an exemplary form of theportion of the transport including an inkjet printing device and afurther ink capture device or vessel for capturing excess ink from theprinting device.

FIG. 52 is an isometric view showing the ink capture device of FIG. 51with the access door thereto in an open position.

FIG. 53 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 52 but showing the inkcapture device with the access door thereto in an closed position andschematically indicating removable rotatable mounting thereof.

FIG. 54 is a side schematic view showing the mechanism for tending tonozzles of the inkjet cartridge of the exemplary embodiment throughwiping action.

FIG. 55 is a side view showing the inkjet cartridge of the exemplaryembodiment along with a movable wiper member providing with a squeegeeportion such wiping action.

FIG. 56 is an isometric view showing schematically the wiper member onthe printhead.

FIG. 57 is a further isometric view showing the wiping member and theprinthead.

FIG. 58 is an exploded view of a removable deposit holding container andthe movable door mechanism used in connection with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 59 is an enlarged isometric view of a top portion of the containerand the associated movable door mechanism.

FIG. 60 is an isometric cut-away view showing the construction of themovable door mechanism used in connection with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 61 is an isometric view of the deposit holding container andmovable door mechanism of an exemplary embodiment including features forfacilitating changing the movable door.

FIG. 62 is a top isometric view showing a locking mechanism used inconjunction with locking the movable door of the deposit holdingcontainer of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 63 is an isometric side view showing an exemplary mounting for thedeposit holding container and interlocking capabilities used inconnection with some embodiments for preventing access to the depositaccepting mechanism when the deposit holding container is in operativeposition.

FIG. 64 is a further isometric view showing the exemplary interlockmechanism with the deposit holding container in an operative position.

FIG. 65 is a further isometric view showing the interlock mechanismenabling movement of the deposit accepting mechanism when the depositholding container has been moved from the operative position.

FIG. 66 is a right side view similar to FIG. 65 showing the depositholding container being removed and the interlock enabling movement ofthe deposit accepting device.

FIG. 67 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 62 but with the exemplarylocking mechanism shown in a position enabling opening of the door ofthe deposit holding container.

FIG. 68 is a right side schematic view indicating exemplary sensors forproviding enhanced security against tampering and unauthorized access tothe deposit accepting mechanism.

FIG. 69 is an isometric exploded view showing engagement of theexemplary outer end of the deposit accepting mechanism with a floatingfascia portion movably mounted relative to the fascia of an automatedbanking machine.

FIG. 70 is an isometric front view showing the bezel at the outer end ofthe deposit accepting mechanism engaged with a movable fascia portion ofan automated banking machine.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein a schematic view of a first embodiment of an automated bankingmachine generally indicated 10. The first exemplary embodiment of theautomated banking machine is an automated teller machine that is usableto carry out banking transactions such as the dispensing of cash and thedeposit of items. It should be understood however that the principles ofthe present invention may be applicable to other types of automatedbanking machines that perform other or additional functions.

Automated banking machine 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 in theexemplary embodiment includes a chest portion 14 and a top housingportion 16. Each of the chest portion and top housing which may bealternatively referred to herein as a cabinet portion are accessible toauthorized persons through suitable access doors which are controlled bylocking mechanisms. As schematically shown, the chest portion has achest door which includes a safe style combination lock schematicallyrepresented 18, which operates to limit access to authorized personnel.The top housing portion includes a key lock (not separately shown) inoperative connection with a door that is movable relative to the housingand enables authorized persons to access the interior of the top housingportion. Of course in other embodiments other access control and lockingmechanisms may be used.

Automated banking machine 10 further includes input devices. The inputdevices in the exemplary machine include a keypad 20 through which usersmay provide manual inputs. A further input device in the exemplaryembodiment is a card reader 22. In some embodiments the card reader maybe adapted for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or smart cards whichinclude a programmable memory thereon. Of course in other embodimentscard readers which read contactless cards or other devices may be used.

The exemplary embodiment further includes an image capture deviceschematically represented 24. In some embodiments the image capturedevice may include for example, a camera which captures one or moreimages of the person operating the machine. In other embodiments theimage capture device may comprise a biometric reader such as an irisscanner, an input device for a facial recognition system or othersimilar device which serves as an input device for identifying a user.Of course the input devices discussed are exemplary and in otherembodiments other input devices such as fingerprint readers, retinascanners, voice recognition systems, touch screens, voice input systemsand other types of devices that receive inputs that are usable toidentify a user and/or their accounts, or which can be operated toprovide instructions to or from the machine, may be used.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine 10 furtherincludes output devices. Such output devices include a visual display26. The visual display 26 may be operated to provide instructions to auser concerning operation of the machine as well as to provide the userwith information. The machine further includes a printer device 28 whichalso serves as an output device. Printer device 28 in some exemplaryembodiments may include a device for printing receipts which areprovided to a user for purposes of documenting transactions conducted atthe machine. Of course in other embodiments other types of printingdevices may be used. These may include for example devices that printtickets, scrip, money orders, checks, coupons, or other documents orinstruments.

It should be understood that these output devices are exemplary and inother embodiments other types of output devices may be used. For exampleother embodiments may include voice guidance systems, communicationinterfaces for communicating with wireless devices such as PDAs or cellphones, electrical connectors for communicating with headphones orsimilar devices or other devices for providing outputs to a user.

In the exemplary banking machine 10 users are enabled to receive cashfrom the machine as well as to make deposits into the machine. Theexemplary machine includes a cash dispenser mechanism 30. The cashdispenser mechanism includes bill picker mechanisms 32 and 34 whichoperate to pick bills from one or more supplies of bills in the machine.For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,664,369 and 6,913,192 which areincorporated herein by reference, include examples of bill pickermechanisms that may be used in some embodiments. Of course in otherembodiments other types of bill picker mechanisms may be used.

The cash dispenser 30 further includes a bill transport 36 which movesthe bills to a stacking and presenting mechanism 38. For example U.S.Pat. No. 5,342,165 which is incorporated herein by reference, disclosesa type of bill stacker and presenting mechanism that may be used in someembodiments. The cash dispenser is operative to deliver bills to a userthrough a cash dispensing outlet 40. As schematically indicated, anappropriate gate or other blocking mechanism 42 is positioned adjacentto the cash outlet so as to prevent unauthorized persons from gainingaccess to the cash dispenser mechanism. The exemplary gate 42 is movableresponsive to motors, solenoids or other suitable motion controlmechanisms which may be alternatively referred to herein as drives, toenable cash to be properly delivered to a machine user from the stackerand presenter mechanism, and to block access at other times.

The exemplary embodiment of the banking machine 10 further includes afirst deposit accepting system which includes mechanisms suitable forreceiving and storing deposited items. In the exemplary embodiment thedeposited items are envelopes. However, in other embodiments other typesof deposit items such as checks, money orders, tickets, coupons, depositbags, deposit holding carriers and other types of deposited items may bereceived. Machine 10 includes a deposit opening which may bealternatively referred to herein as an inlet, which extends in thehousing and is sized for accepting deposited items such as envelopes. Anappropriate gate mechanism schematically indicated 46 is movablypositioned adjacent the deposit inlet. Gate 46 is movable throughsolenoids, motors or other suitable moving devices so as to preventaccess to the interior of the machine through the deposit inlet exceptat times when the machine is in a proper mode to accept deposits.

In the exemplary embodiment deposited items are moved along a depositpath through a transport 48. The deposit transport 48 is operative tomove envelopes deposited by a user from the area adjacent the depositinlet to a storage area 50. In some exemplary embodiments the deposittransport may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,679, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the first exemplary embodiment the storage area 50 is bounded by aremovable deposit holding container 52. The exemplary form of thedeposit holding container has an interior storage area that is operativeto hold deposited items therein 54. The deposit holding container 52 maybe removed from the machine by authorized personnel and transported to aremote location where deposits may be validated. This may be done forexample through a self locking and tamper indicating deposit holdingcontainer like that later discussed in detail that locks upon removalfrom the machine and which is properly opened only by authorized personsat a remote location. Alternatively the deposit holding container may besuch that persons who are authorized to access the chest portion 14 mayremove the deposited items individually therefrom and verify thecontents thereof either at the machine or at a remote location.Alternatively other approaches may be used for verifying deposited itemsdepending on the type and nature of the deposits.

The exemplary machine 10 further includes at least one computer whichmay be alternatively referred to herein as a processor or controller,schematically indicated 56. The controller is in operative connectionwith at least one data store or memory 58 which holds programminginstructions, information about transactions, communication informationand other data used in operation of the machine. The controller 56 is inoperative connection with the transaction function devices in themachine and controls the operation thereof in accordance with theprogrammed instructions. It should be understood that some embodimentsmay have multiple controllers such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,264,101 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Controller 56 is in operative connection with at least onecommunications device 60. The communications device enables theexemplary machine to communicate with at least one remote computer anddata store for purposes of carrying out transactions. As representedschematically in FIG. 1, banking machine 10 is in operative connectionwith a network schematically indicated 62. The network is in operativeconnection with computers at financial institutions 64 and 66 whichoperate systems that authorize and record information concerningtransactions conducted by users at the banking machine. Of course thiscommunications approach through a banking network is exemplary and inother embodiments other communications approaches and/or authorizingentities may be used.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the deposit transport 48 used inexemplary banking machine 10. In this exemplary embodiment depositeditems in the form of envelopes 68 are moved along a transport path inthe direction of arrow D from the deposit inlet to the storage area. Asthe deposited items are being moved along the transport path, propertiesof the deposited item are sensed. In the embodiment shown, thickness ofthe deposited item is sensed by a sensor 70. In the embodiment shown,the sensor 70 is a contact sensor which physically contacts thedeposited item 68 so as to determine its thickness. For example as shownin FIG. 2, a contact roller 72 has an axis that is movable in responseto envelope thickness and biasingly engages the deposit envelope as itpasses along the transport path between the contact roller and areference surface of a stationary axis roller 74. The displacement ofthe contact roller 72 from its reference position indicates thethickness of the deposited item across its length. The displacement ofthe contact roller produces one or more signals from the sensor 70 whichare transmitted to the controller and used for purposes which are laterdiscussed.

It should be understood that while in the exemplary embodiment thecontact type sensor is used for determining thickness in otherembodiments, non-contact sensors may be used for determining thicknessor other properties of a deposited item. For example non-contact sensorsof the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,101,266, 6,242,733 and 6,241,244,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein,may be used for purposes of determining thickness or other properties ofthe deposited items. Such non-contact sensors may be used in lieu of orin addition to, contact type sensors for determining thickness of thedeposited item.

In addition or in the alternative, other types of sensors such asmagnetic type sensors may be used for purposes of sensing and/ordetermining the content of the envelope. Magnetic sensors may be usedfor example, to determine the presence of magnetic inks on checks,coins, currency or other instruments which are included within depositenvelopes. Such non-contact sensors are schematically represented 76 inFIG. 2. It should be understood that in some embodiments thickness orother properties of the deposited item may be sensed in or along asingle sensing area in the envelope path. In other embodiments sensingmay be conducted across all or a portion of the transverse width of thedeposited item. The particular nature of the thickness and other deposititem properties that are sensed and used in a particular embodiment maydepend on the type of deposited item involved and the needs of theoperator of the banking machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more recording devices schematicallyindicated 78 are positioned adjacent to the deposit path. In theexemplary embodiment the recording devices may comprise printers whichare operative to print indicia on deposited items. Such printers mayinclude for example dot-matrix printers, stamper type printers, inkjetprinters or other suitable devices for recording indicia on thedeposited item. In other exemplary embodiments systems which areoperative to label the deposited item, such as those shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,435,243 which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recording devices are operative torecord on the deposited item, indicia which corresponds to theproperties of the item which is sensed. This may include for examplerecording on the deposited item numerical indicia which indicatethickness of the envelope at one or more locations thereon. In otherembodiments the recording device may be operative to record anidentifying indicator such as an account number or transaction number onthe envelope. This identifying indicia may then be correlated tothickness or other properties of the deposited item by referring to datastored in memory at the machine or elsewhere in an operatively connectedcomputer. Alternatively or in addition, the indicia recorded on thedeposited item may include an indicated deposit value which correspondsto the amount that a user of the machine indicated was included in orwas represented by the deposited item.

FIG. 3 shows an example of deposited item 80 that has been passedthrough the depository of an exemplary automated banking machine. Forthis deposited item the recorded indicia on the item includes atransaction identification number 82. The transaction identificationnumber may correspond for example, to the particular transaction carriedout by the machine and may correspond to information stored in memorysuch as the identity of the particular user who conducted the deposittransaction. This may include for example, card data that is read from auser's card by the banking machine. In this exemplary embodiment thedeposited item 80 further has included among the indicia, an indicateddeposit value 84. The indicated deposit value may include for examplethe particular value amount that the user indicated that they weredepositing into the machine through inputs to the input devices at thetime they made the deposit. The inclusion of the indicated deposit valuewith the recorded indicia may facilitate verifying the deposit when itis removed from the machine as later discussed.

For the deposited item 80, indicia corresponding to thickness isrecorded on the item. The thickness indicia 86 comprises a numericalindication of the thickness of the deposit envelope at various locationsalong the envelope at the time of deposit. These various locations inthe embodiment shown are spaced longitudinal locations along a singlelongitudinal line adjacent the center of the envelope as it passesthrough the transport. In this exemplary embodiment the thicknessindicia are printed adjacent to a transverse edge of the envelope so asto not interfere with other indicia printed thereon. Of course it shouldbe understood that in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As later discussed, the thickness and other indicia associated with theenvelope may be used when the envelope is subsequently opened to verifythat the envelope contained deposit items therein at the time of depositand/or the nature of such deposited items.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative form of recorded indicia on a deposited item88. In this exemplary embodiment the recorded indicia of the depositeditem includes machine-readable indicia 90. In this embodiment themachine-readable indicia comprises a bar code or similarmachine-readable coding scheme.

The machine-readable indicia corresponds to a particular numerical orother indicator that is correlated with data related to the deposit,such as the customer identity and indicated deposit value. In theexemplary embodiment the indicia also corresponds to data about theparticular deposit such as thickness data and/or other properties. Thisdata which is captured from the contact or non-contact type sensors inthe machine is correlated with the machine-readable indicia 90. Suchdata may be accessed from the data store in the banking machine.Alternatively such data may be transmitted to another data store forpurposes of verifying that the indicated deposit value corresponds tothe actual deposit value of the content of the envelope.

A reading device 92 is operative to read the machine-readable indiciaonce the deposited item 88 has been removed from the storage area in themachine by an authorized representative of the machine operator. Thereading device 92 is in operative connection with a computer or otherdevice 94 which has therein or which has accessible thereto, data in adata store 96. The data store 96 preferably includes data such as theindicated deposit value, the identity of the user and the properties ofthe particular deposited item as sensed by the sensors in the bankingmachine proximate to the time of deposit. With this information theperson verifying the deposits may verify that the content of theenvelope has at the time of verification, an actual deposit value thatcorresponds to the indicated deposit value. In the event of adiscrepancy, the person verifying the deposit may use the thickness andother data which has been recorded related to the deposited item, todetermine if the deposited item actually contained items having theexpected properties of thickness and/or other properties at the time ofdeposit. This will enable a person responsible for verifying the depositto better determine if the items were not included in the deposited itemat the time of deposit or if the content of the deposited item was lostor misappropriated after deposit. Such information is useful indetermining whether to credit the customer's account for the indicateddeposit value as later discussed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary types of data related to deposited itemswhich may be represented by indicia recorded on deposited items. Forexample FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of thickness of a depositeditem over time or distance as the item engages and passes a singlecontact type sensor as the deposited item moves along the deposit pathin the banking machine. A line 98 corresponds to the one or more signalsfrom the sensor indicative of thickness. Various embodiments such as forexample a deposit system used to produce item 80 in FIG. 3, recordthickness at a plurality of discrete separated locations 100. In theexemplary embodiment the movement of the envelope may be controlledthrough operation of a controlled speed motor, stepper motor or othercontrolled movement device so that the indicia indicative of thicknessat each of the locations corresponds relatively closely to theparticular area on the deposited item at which the thickness is sensed.Appropriate circuitry is provided so that when indicia corresponding tothickness such as is shown in FIG. 3 is a fairly accurate representationof the thickness at the various locations at the time the envelope wasdeposited. As can be appreciated in embodiments where deposit items aremoved at a predictable and generally constant speed, thicknessdeterminations can be based on elapsed time from when a leading edge ofan envelope is sensed. In other embodiments encoders or other distancesensors can be used to directly sense envelope movement. The graph inFIG. 4 may be representative of outputs from either type system.

In some embodiments it may be sufficient for the indicia to represent amaximum thickness of the deposited item such as is indicated in FIG. 4by a maximum 102 of line 98. The maximum is indicative of the maximumthickness of the envelope, and this may in many embodiments besufficient to indicate the nature of the content thereof. Thus forexample in systems where the maximum thickness is recorded, only indiciacorresponding to one numerical value may be recorded on the envelopeand/or stored in memory as corresponding to the indicia recorded on theenvelope.

In still other embodiments it may be important to correlate with adeposited item, a quantity indicative of the volume of the item. Thismay correspond to the area 104 under the line 98 in FIG. 4. As can beappreciated area 104 which is the integral of the overall thickness asmeasured by a thickness sensor, may be indicative of the overall contentof the envelope.

FIG. 5 shows yet other data that may be recorded related to theparticular deposited item. For example certain contact and non-contactsensors can develop a detailed profile of a deposited item including thethicknesses associated with folds, flaps and items contained within theenvelope. Non-contact sensors may also detect other properties such asmagnetic properties and the presence of inks or other indicators on orwithin the contents.

For example FIG. 5 shows a deposited item 106. Non-contact sensors ofthe type previously mentioned may use radiation to determine thicknessand determine the bounds of the envelope as well as additional thicknessareas associated with envelope features such as flaps and folds 108. Inaddition such non-contact sensors may sense additional thicknesses inthe areas 110 and 112 within the envelope. In areas 110 and 112additional thickness is caused by the presence of sheets such asinstruments within the envelope. Radiation sensors which are capable ofsensing radiation absorption properties may sense areas where printinghas been made on items within the envelope. In addition or in thealternative, magnetic sensors may identify areas of magnetic activityrepresented by areas 114. Such magnetic activity may correspond to areaswhere magnetic inks have been printed on checks or other instruments.

As can be appreciated, some embodiments may provide a detailed profileof the deposited item and its content. This profile may be correlatedwith the indicia recorded on the deposited item so that a personresponsible for verifying deposits may determine whether the content ofthe deposited item at the time that it is verified, corresponds to thecontent at the time it was deposited.

In operation of an exemplary embodiment, the automated banking machine10 is operated by a user to perform banking transactions. This includesfor example the user providing to the card reader 22 of the machine adebit card which includes a magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe mayinclude information that identifies the user and/or their account suchas a primary account number (PAN) of the user. The user may furtherverify their identity by providing to the machine a personalidentification number (PIN) through the keypad 20. If the input PINcorresponds to the data recorded on the card, the user may be authorizedto conduct transactions at the machine. It should be understood that theuse of these inputs by the user to the machine to identify the user isexemplary and in other embodiments other inputs usable to identify theparticular user or an account may be used.

A user also provides one or more inputs through input devices on themachine to indicate the type of transaction they wish to conduct. If theuser provides one or more inputs indicating that they wish to make adeposit transaction, the controller in the machine will operate inaccordance with its programming to present prompts to the user throughthe display 26 or other output devices requesting that the user indicatethe deposit values of the item or items that they wish to deposit. Afterproviding the indicated deposit value, the controller operates themachine to open the gate 46 to the deposit transport 48 so that a usermay insert the deposited item. When the user inserts the deposited item,it is moved through the transport 48 wherein properties of the depositeditem are sensed. This includes in exemplary embodiments, sensingthickness and/or other properties of the deposited item as previouslydiscussed. The controller 56 further operates the recording device 78such as one or more printers, to record on the deposited item indiciathat corresponds to the particular properties or characteristics sensed.Once the indicia has been recorded on the deposited item, the itempasses into the storage area 50 where it is held in the banking machinefor later verification.

Periodically the operator of the machine or other authorized entityaccesses the interior of the machine to remove and verify the depositeditems. This is done in an exemplary embodiment by opening the lock 18,moving the chest door and accessing the chest portion 14 so as to removethe deposit holding container 52. In some embodiments the depositeditems may be removed from the deposit holding container at the machineand opened for verification in an area adjacent to the machine.Alternatively the deposit holding container may be locked andtransported to a remote location for verification of the deposits.

In the exemplary embodiment the deposit holding container is to betransported to a remote location and an empty deposit holding containeris placed in the machine to receive further deposits. The bankingmachine is then returned to operation. The deposited items are removedfrom the deposit holding container at a remote facility and the contentthereof reviewed. The content which may include cash, checks or otherdeposited items is totaled for each deposited item to obtain an actualdeposit value. The actual deposit value is then compared to theindicated deposit value to determine if there is a discrepancy. If theactual deposit value and the indicated deposit value are different, theuser of the machine may have made an error in providing the indicateddeposit value. Alternatively the user may be attempting to perpetrate afraud by misrepresenting the value of the deposit. Alternatively,deposited items may have been misappropriated by persons having accessto the deposited items either at the machine, in transport or at thelocation where the deposited value is verified.

The actual deposited value may be compared to the indicated depositvalue by reviewing the numerical indicia corresponding to thicknessrecorded on the deposited item such as is shown in FIG. 3. Alternativelytransaction number data or other machine-readable indicia may becorrelated electronically with the indicated deposit value. Of course incases where the actual deposit value corresponds to the indicateddeposit value, the user has deposited the indicated amount and theaccount of the user or other appropriate entity is credited for theindicated deposit value.

In some circumstances however, the indicated deposit value does notcorrespond to the actual deposit value of the item. At the depositverification facility persons verifying deposits may inspect depositeditems for damage. This may include for example, torn deposit envelopesor envelopes that have not been sealed or which appear to have been cutor otherwise opened. An example of a damaged deposit envelope isindicated 116 in FIG. 7. Damaged or otherwise opened deposit envelopesmay have no contents or may still have items contained therein. Whenitems are still contained therein, there is a question of whether all ofthe items are still housed within the damaged deposit item.

When persons responsible for verifying deposits are faced with damagedor otherwise open deposited items such as envelopes, questions may ariseas to whether the items were damaged and/or empty at the time of depositor whether the content was lost or stolen after deposit in the machine.By reviewing the indicia recorded on the deposited item whichcorresponds to thickness and/or other properties, such disputes canoften be resolved.

For example if the deposited item was empty at the time of deposit, thenthe recorded thickness information related to the item may be used toverify that the thickness of the empty envelope at the time ofverification corresponds to the thickness at the time of deposit. Thisis indicated with regard to damaged envelope 116 in FIG. 7 which showsthat the thickness information at a plurality of locations is constantand corresponds to the thickness of the empty damaged envelope. Thissuggests for example that a user may be attempting to perpetrate a fraudby deliberately depositing an empty envelope which is damaged and whichthe user may later contend contained materials corresponding to theindicated deposit value. In cases where the recorded thickness or otherproperties show that the indicated deposit value was not correct, theinstitution operating the machine will not credit the user's account forthe indicated deposit value.

In other circumstances an open or damaged deposit item may havecorresponding thickness or other data which shows that the depositeditem contained items at the time of deposit which are not contained atthe time of verification. In such circumstances it will be known thatsuch items have disappeared subsequent to the time of deposit. Theinstitution operating the automated banking machine may credit theuser's account for the indicated deposit value, as it is thereforedocumented that at least some of the deposited items had apparently beenlost through error or misappropriation.

Of course in some embodiments where the data concerning deposited itemsincludes magnetic sensors and detailed profile information, relativelyaccurate data showing the type and number of deposited items can beobtained from data stored in memory. Such data may in some embodimentsbe accessed directly from the data store in the banking machine.Alternatively data in the machine may be transmitted through the networkto other computers which can be accessed at the deposit verificationfacility. Of course numerous approaches may be used within the scope ofthe invention depending on the capabilities and needs of the particularsystem.

At the verification facility, verification may often be successfullyaccomplished through manual opening and review of deposited items.Alternatively the verification facility may employ devices similar tothose in the machine for purposes of measuring the thickness of theenvelope and determining other properties of deposited items. This mayinclude for example passing deposited items through such devices priorto opening them at the facility to determine if there has been anychange in the properties of the item between the time that it wasdeposited and the time that it has reached the facility. This may bedone as part of a process for inspecting for damage to the particulardeposited item. In cases where machine readable indicia is used ondeposited items, a reader for the indicia and thickness sensing (orother property sensing) device at the facility can be used to compareand identify deposited items where properties of the item have changedfrom the time of deposit. In addition, if a deposited item has beendamaged in the transport or has come open, the properties associatedwith the deposited item at the time of acceptance in the machine may beuseful in determining which open or loose items found within a depositholding container correspond to which deposit item. Various approachesmay be used within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In alternative embodiments for example, the banking machine may detectpossible situations where a user has attempted to deposit an envelope orother item that is damaged or empty. In such situations the bankingmachine may operate to refuse to accept such an item for deposit. Suchsystems may prevent attempted fraud and/or avoid situations where a userforgot to place the intended deposit items in the envelope.

In some automated banking machines deposit envelopes are provided for auser's convenient use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,609 the disclosure of whichis incorporated by reference, shows an automated banking machine whichprovides envelopes to a user in which deposit items may be included. Insome embodiments the envelopes provided may be of a known size and/orthickness. Sensors in the path for receipt of deposit envelopes maysense for size and/or thickness properties and the computer operating inthe ATM may be programmed to have the machine reject and return to thecustomer deposit envelopes that do not meet the acceptable size orthickness parameters. This may be done for example by the controller inthe machine reversing the deposit transport.

For example, an exemplary automated banking machine may sense forenvelope thickness greater than the known empty thickness of the depositenvelopes provided by the machine. The banking machine may be programmedto instruct customers that they must place their deposit into a machineprovided envelope, even if the customer has planned to provide their owndeposit containing envelope. The machine may instruct the user to placetheir nonstandard envelope within the machine provided envelope. In suchan embodiment if the sensors sensing thickness of a deposited envelopedo not sense thickness greater than that of a standard machine providedenvelope, the banking machine may return the envelope to the customerand may output a request to the customer to put the deposit items in theenvelope and/or for the customer to use one of the envelopes the machineprovides. In this way the risk of the machine receiving an emptyenvelope is reduced.

In other embodiments the banking machine may have sensors which sensethe size, area and/or boundaries of the edges of a deposited envelope.In this way if a deposited envelope does not correspond to the expectedconfiguration of a standard machine provided envelope, the depositedenvelope may be rejected by the deposit accepting mechanism.

In other embodiments deposit items may have common properties. Forexample, the expected deposit items may include coins, currency billsand checks, each of which have magnetic properties. The magneticproperties of the machine provided envelopes may be nonexistent orwithin a known range. The banking machine may sense for elevatedmagnetic properties for the deposited envelopes to indicate that eithercash or checks have been placed therein. Envelopes that do not have suchelevated magnetic properties may be rejected. Of course in somesituations the banking machine may sense for other or additionalproperties and use that as a basis for accepting or rejecting thedeposit.

It should be understood that in some embodiments the banking machine mayoperate to sense for combinations of properties and may not accept theenvelope if any one or more properties is not within the anticipatedlimits. In some embodiments envelope deposits that are rejected may bereturned to the customer. In other embodiments suspect deposits may beheld by the machine for analysis and/or as evidence.

In further alternative embodiments the banking machine may dispense anempty envelope to the customer for use that does not have predeterminedthickness, size, magnetic or other properties. In some exemplaryembodiments the properties of interest may be measured by sensors in thebanking machine at the time the empty envelope is being dispensed to thecustomer from the machine. The properties of interest could again bemeasured for the envelope when the user deposits the envelope withdeposit items into the machine. If an expected change (or absence ofchange) in thickness, size, magnetic properties or other sensedproperties is not detected when the user deposits the envelope back inthe machine, the deposit may be rejected.

Alternatively or in addition, indicia corresponding to properties ofinterest may be printed on the envelope by the machine prior to or atthe time of dispense of the empty envelope. In addition or alternativelysuch information may be stored in a database. This information may thenbe compared to that for the deposited envelope. This may be done at thetime of accepting the deposit and used as a basis to reject the depositby the machine or may be done subsequently when the contents of thedeposit envelopes are being verified. Of course other approaches may betaken depending on system and operator requirements.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative deposit mechanism foraccepting deposits such as envelopes within an automated bankingmachine. This deposit mechanism generally indicated 120 includes anouter end 122 which includes a deposit opening through which deposititems are accepted. Access though the opening at outer end 122 iscontrolled by a gate mechanism as later discussed. Items which pass intothe deposit accepting mechanism 120 through the deposit opening at outerend 122 are moved through a transport 124. Items accepted in thetransport are moved past the recording device 126 which in the exemplaryembodiment comprises an inkjet printer. Deposited items are moved by thetransport 124 into a deposit holding container 128. As later discussedin detail, in some exemplary embodiments the deposit holding containermay be a removable container which is removably mounted within a chestor other secure area of the ATM. In the exemplary embodiment a dividingwall 130 may serve as a portion of an upper wall bounding the chestportion and separating it from the cabinet portion above. This is usefulin some embodiments in which the envelope holding container for emptyenvelopes or portions thereof which serve as the envelope supply, may beaccessed by persons who do not have access to the secure chest. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

The exemplary form of the deposit mechanism 120 further includes anenvelope storage area 132 which is alternatively referred to as an emptyenvelope holding container. Envelope storage area 132 includes inoperative connection therewith devices for selectively picking andseparating a single envelope from a stack of envelopes stored in theenvelope storage area. Such a picked envelope is then transportedthrough the transport 124 and delivered to a user of the banking machinethrough the deposit opening at the outer end 122. It should beunderstood that in some embodiments envelopes being provided to a userand/or envelopes received may be marked in the manner previouslydiscussed. Alternatively in other embodiments no marking or alternativeforms of marking may be done.

The envelope storage and delivery mechanism used in connection with anexemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 9-18. Theexemplary embodiment includes an envelope storage and dispensing device134 which is alternatively referred to as an envelope dispenser, shownin FIGS. 9-11. The envelope storage and dispensing device includesenvelope storage area 132 which is bounded by a movable floor member 136which serves as a floor support and an overlying push plate 138. Pushplate 138 is vertically movable in a pair of disposed slots 140 insupporting connection with the housing of the deposit acceptingmechanism. The push plate 138 is also rotatable about pivots 142. Thisfacilitates rotating the push plate from a biasing position biasing thestack of envelopes downward, to a biasing position in which the pushplate extends outside the storage area, so that envelopes or otherdeposit items may be readily added to or removed from the storage area132. Push plate 138 when returned to the biasing position in the storagearea applies a downward force to envelopes in the envelope storage area.

Floor member 136 is supported on a base 144. Floor member 136 is alsorotatable about a pivot 146 which serves as a movable support and whichis positioned adjacent to a rear area of the floor member 136. Further,the floor member has positioned adjacent thereto vertically extendingguide plates 148 which serve to bound the empty envelope holdingcontainer and maintain the stack of deposit envelopes in supportingconnection with the floor member.

Exemplary floor member 136 includes thereon a disposed pair of upwardextending rails 150. The rails are useful in reducing surface tensionforces that resist envelope movement over the surface of the floormember. Three slots 152 extend in the floor member at an end disposedfrom the pivot 146. Each slot 152 is aligned with a respective pick beltwhich serves as a movable picker member. The central slot is alignedwith a belt 154 which extends in centered relation relative to the floormember. The slots 152 on either side of belt 154 are each aligned with apick belt 156. Belts 154 and 156 are selectively driven responsive tothe controller by a drive. The pick belts extend between rollers 158,160 mounted on shafts 162, 164 in operative connection with the floormember 136. Adjacent to an end of member 136 disposed away from thepivot 146 is a pair of transversely disposed cams 166. (See FIG. 11.) Aslater discussed in detail, cams 166 serve as part of a mechanism whichis operative to cause the floor member to rotate about the pivot 146 andto move up and down relative to the upper surface of pick belts 154,156.

Bounding the forward side of the envelope storage area 132 is avertically extending wall 168. Wall 168 has in supporting connectiontherewith a stripper member 170. Stripper member 170 is movably mountedin supporting connection with wall 168 and is movable responsive to anoperatively connected drive. In the exemplary embodiment the strippermember serves as a stripper to generally prevent all but one envelopefrom being moved from the stack in a spring loaded fashion by a spring171 which serves as a downward biasing device for purposes that arelater discussed. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15 the stripper assemblyincludes a pair of disposed angled friction pads 172. In the exemplaryembodiment the friction pads 172 are comprised of resilient material andare angled so as to provide a resilient strip surface that extendssomewhat further downward with increasing distance from the stack.Further, it should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment that theend of floor member 136 that is disposed the furthest from pivot 146extends forward so that slots therein extend beneath the resilient stripsurfaces friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment the frictionpads 172 are selectively movable in a spring loaded fashion with thestripper assembly 170.

In the exemplary embodiment shaft 162 has mounted thereon a pair ofpinch rolls 174. Pinch rolls 174 are in abutting aligned relation withtransport drive rolls 176 (see FIG. 13) which rotate on a shaft 178which is driven by a drive (not shown). Transport drive rolls 176 aredriven in the direction of Arrow T as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 duringthe envelope dispensing operation. Transport drive rolls 176 each havesupported thereon a transport belt 180. The movement of transport driverolls 176 and transport belt 180 is operative to engage and cause therotation of pinch rolls 174. Because pinch rolls 174 are attached toshaft 162, rollers 158 and the pick belts supported thereon are alsodriven by the drive which powers the transport drive rolls. Of coursethis approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport drive belts 180 are in operativeconnection with a tensioning roll 182. Tensioning roll 182 is mounted ona tension lever 184 which is in operative connection with a spring orother suitable biasing device to bias the tensioning rollcounterclockwise about a pivot 186 shown in FIG. 15. The engagement ofthe transport belt 180 with the tensioning roll causes the transportbelt to extend above a gap 188. Gap 188 extends between guides 190, 192.As later discussed, envelopes being deposited into the machine are movedby the transport belts to the gap 188. Once envelopes are moved throughthe gap they pass through a deposit envelope opening 189 through thedividing wall into the storage area within deposit holding container128.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, base 144 includes a tray portion 194 and abaffle 196 which is alternatively referred to as a plate. Baffle 196 ismovably mounted in supporting connection with the tray portion so as tobe slidably movable thereon along the direction of Arrow U in FIG. 17.In the exemplary embodiment baffle 194 is moved by a drive screw 198which is selectively driven responsive to the controller in eitherrotational direction by a drive 199 and pulley assembly 200.

Baffle 196 includes an opening there through 202. The tray portion 194includes a corresponding opening 204. Tray opening 204 corresponds tothe position of the deposit envelope opening 189 in the dividing wallbounding the chest when the mechanism 120 is in an operative position.Tray opening 204 is positioned in generally underlying relation of thegap 188. As can be appreciated through the selective operation of drive199, the baffle opening 202 may be selectively moved so as to align theopening in the baffle with the opening in the tray. In suchcircumstances envelopes which pass into the gap 188 are enabled to moveinto the deposit holding container 128. Likewise when the baffle ismoved by the drive so as to have the opening in the baffle disposed fromthe opening of the tray, access to the deposit holding container isblocked. Thus the portion of the baffle or plate 196 which moves toblock access through the gap to the deposit envelope opening serves as agate.

Baffle 196 further includes therein a pair of cam slots 206. As shown inFIG. 18, cam slots 206 are aligned with and sized to accept cams 166which extend in underlying relation of the floor member 136. As a resultmovement of the baffle relative to the tray also enables the floormember to be selectively moved up and down in the area adjacent to thepick belts at an end disposed of the pivot 146. This interconnectioncauses the supporting floor supporting the envelope stack to move withthe portion of the baffle that serves as the gate.

Baffle 196 further has in operative connection therewith an actuatingroller 208. Roller 208 in the exemplary embodiment is in operativeconnection with a cam member which is engaged with a cam portion on anarm 210. Arm 210 is movably mounted to the tray member through a pivotmount 212. (See FIG. 18.) As later explained in detail, movement of thearm 210 through engagement of roller 208 and the cam facilitatesmaintaining the proper operating condition of the inkjet printhead usedin the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport belts 180 in the area oftensioning roller 182 extend adjacent to a transport which includes aplaten 214. Transport belts 180 are also operative to engage a pair oftoothed rolls 216 which extend through openings in the transport platen214. The toothed rolls rotate in coordination with the transport beltsso as to facilitate the movement of envelopes there through.

As represented in FIGS. 19-21, transport platen 214 in the exemplaryembodiment has a surface that has a curved portion and which extends toa delivery section 218 that extends adjacent to the outer end 122 of thetransport. Platen 214 includes an item supporting surface with a curvedportion 215 through which a plurality of aligned openings which serve asapertures through which freely rotatable belt support rollers 220extend. The belt support rollers 220 are positioned such that thetransport belts 180 move in overlying relation thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment elastic transport belts 180 are journaledabout outlet rolls 222 which rotate on a movable outlet shaft 224 aslater explained. Pressure applying rolls 226 are spring biased by leafsprings 227 and serve to maintain downward pressure on the transportbelts in the delivery section 216. The biasing action of rolls 182 and226 serve to bias the adjacent flights of belts 180 toward engagement ofcurved portion 215. Guide rolls 228 serve to guide the return flights ofthe transport belts 180 between the transport drive rolls 176 and theoutlet rolls 222.

In the exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, when theautomated banking machine operates to conduct a deposit transaction fora user, the controller operates to dispense an envelope from theenvelope storage area 132 and to deliver the envelope to the user of themachine through an opening at the outer end 122 of the transport 124.The envelope dispenser in the ATM is operative to dispense an emptyenvelope. This is accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by thecontroller operating the drive 199 so as to cause the cam slots 206 inthe baffle 196 to move so that the cams 166 extending on the undersideof floor member 136 move downward into engagement with cam slots 206.This causes the pick belts which serve as a picker to extend above thesurface of the floor member and the rails, and engage the end envelopebounding the lower end of the envelope stack 207. The motor drivingshaft 178 operates to rotate in the direction of Arrow T so that thepick belts 154, 156 urge the bottom end envelope in the stack 207 tomove along a first direction toward wall 168. Further, the stripperassembly 170 is disposed downward such that the angled friction pads 172are disposed downward such that at the side toward the stack they areabout one envelope thickness above the plane of the lowered floor member136 as shown in FIG. 13.

The action of the pick belts 154, 156 urge the lowest envelope to theright as shown in FIG. 13 into engagement with the downwardly angledresilient strip surface on the friction pads. Such engagement resistsmovement of the envelope by engaging the side of the envelope opposed ofthe pick belts and generally causes the lowermost end envelope boundingthe stack to be separated from the stack.

The force of the pick belts and particularly areas of raised knobbytread 234 on pick belts 156 which serve as a cog portion, engage thelower face of the end envelope and force the leading edge thereof intothe nip formed by drive belts 180 supported on rollers 176 and pinchrolls 174 which are rotated on shaft 162. Engagement of the leading edgeof a lowermost envelope in the nip formed by the rolls causes theenvelope to move with the belt flights across the gap 188 and intoengagement with the toothed rolls 216.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the exemplary configuration of the strippermember 170 and the angled stripper pads 172 achieve imparting a waffleconfiguration to the lowermost envelope 230. The deformed configurationof the envelope further helps to facilitate separation of the lowermostenvelope in the stack from other envelopes.

A further feature of the exemplary dispenser mechanism for emptyenvelopes is that empty envelopes containing features for sealing of theenvelopes by an ATM user may be accommodated. For example, emptyenvelopes that include peel-off strips may be positioned in the emptyenvelope holding container with such peel-off strips facing downwardtoward the floor support. As generally such peel-off strips covering theadhesive are at the transverse margins of the envelopes, the envelopescan be moved by engagement with the pick belts without engaging thepeel-off strips. This enables the envelopes to be picked withoutdamaging the peel-off strips and without encountering significantdifferences in frictional properties which may result in skewing of theenvelopes and jams. Such envelopes with peel-off strips may bedesirable, as it eliminates the need for users to lick or otherwiseapply moisture to deposit envelopes to seal them after materials havebeen placed therein. Alternatively, other types of sealing approachesmay be used with regard to empty deposit envelopes. These may include,for example, fold-out flaps or other approaches to exposing adhesivematerial that is used to seal the envelope once materials have beenplaced therein by a user. The exemplary dispensing mechanism, with thebelt flights and cog portion which serve as a picker and angledoverlying resilient surfaces which serve as a stripper, are well adaptedfor individually separating such envelopes. Of course the constructiondescribed is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, as the picked envelope 230 moves with thetransport belts 180 over the gap 188, the leading edge of the envelopeengages rotating toothed rolls 216. The toothed rolls direct the leadingedge of the envelope to be engaged between the surface of the transportplaten 214 and the opposed platen surface facing flights of thetransport belts 180 adjacent thereto. An envelope sensor 232 comprisesmovable members that extend through a plurality of slots in the platenand is positioned to sense the leading edge of the envelope inconnection with the transport belts adjacent to the platen. In responseto such sensing of the envelope, the controller in the exemplaryembodiment is operative to cause the baffle 196 to translate relative tothe tray portion and to cause the cams 166 to move out of the cam slots206. This raises the floor member 136 upward in the area of the frictionpads 172. In the exemplary embodiment because the stripper 170 ismounted in biased relation relative to the wall 168, a downward clampingforce is applied to the picked envelope as it continues to move out ofthe stack as a result of the driving force imparted thereto by thetransport belts and pinch rolls 174. In the exemplary embodiment thisclamping force on the moving envelope is further operative to assist inseparating the end envelope at the bottom of the stack from otherenvelopes when they tend to be pulled along with the picked envelope.Further, the raising of the floor member 136 is operative to cause therails on the surface of the floor member to again be disposed above themoving pick belts. This disengages the pick belts from further envelopesin the stack and reduces the risk that additional envelopes will bepicked.

Once the picked envelope 230 has moved from the stack such that it hascleared the pinch point formed by the transport belts and pinch rolls174, the envelope is moved in engagement with the transport beltsbetween the surface of the transport platen 214 and belt support rollstoward the outlet rolls 222. As this occurs the gate adjacent to theopening in outer end 122 is opened in a manner later explained, and theenvelope is driven until the envelope is sensed by sensors as extendingthrough the opening and available to the customer, at which time thecontroller ceases further movement of the transport belts.

The exemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism is usefulin that envelopes are reliably stripped both by the stripping action ofthe angled friction pads as well as the wavelike waffle contour that isimparted to the envelope by the picker and stripper members. Further,reliable stripping of the lowest end envelope from other envelopes inthe stack is generally assured by the clamping action which occurs as aresult of raising the floor member 136 after the envelope has moved awayfrom the stack a sufficient distance.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the strippermember is spring biased but movable in response to excessive thickness.Thus if for some reason a substantial quantity of envelopes cannot beseparated from one another, the entire stack may be moved outward pastthe stripper member and through the transport to the user. This avoidsmalfunctions and placing the machine out of service when such conditionsoccur. In the exemplary embodiment the stripper is operative to allowapproximately 3.5 millimeters of envelope thickness to pass throughwithout jamming. This represents a substantial number of envelopes andmay reduce the risk of a machine malfunction.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment previouslydiscussed, is that the mechanism is operative to handle envelopes thathave wax peel-off strips on the sides or edges of the envelope. Suchpeel-off strips may be loaded into the envelope storage area with suchstrips facing in a downward direction. As the exemplary embodiment doesnot include any resilient engaging surfaces which apply opposing forcesand which may contribute to such peel-offs coming off the envelopeduring separation of the end envelope from the stack, each envelope maybe moved with the peel-off strip intact on the underside of the envelopeto a user.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the pickbelts include raised segments 234 which serve as a high force cogportion. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the raised segments on pickbelts 156 are comprised of enlarged knobby tread portions which extendhigher than the surrounding tread. In the exemplary embodiment theraised segments 234 are arranged on pick belts 156, 180 degrees apart.These cog portions provide additional friction and pushing force so asto move the lowermost envelope from the stack.

A further useful aspect employed in the exemplary embodiment tofacilitate the picking of envelopes is the use of the stepper motor fordriving the rolls and belts. In the exemplary embodiment the steppermotor is in operative connection with control circuitry which inresponse to the controller causes the stepper motor to operate in anoscillating fashion. In some embodiments the motor may operate in avibratory manner with vibration frequency but which always has a desirednet forward drive on the envelope. This results in vibration withdesired forward or backward movement which further helps to separateenvelopes from the envelope stack. For example in an exemplaryembodiment the controller may be programmed to determine whether theleading edge of an envelope is sensed as having reached the sensor 232at a particular time after the effort to pick an envelope is initiated.In response to the controller failing to sense the envelope within thedesired time, the controller operates to cause the vibratory action ofthe motor to be commenced. This vibratory action and the resultingshaking and oscillating motions of the parts in engagement with theenvelope is generally operative to cause the lowermost envelope to bepicked. Of course it should be appreciated that further recoveryroutines such as driving the belts and rolls in a back and forth motionas well as moving the baffle back and forth to raise and lower the floormember of the envelope holding bin may also be conducted so as tofacilitate end envelope separation.

In an exemplary embodiment the stepper motor or other drive is also usedto provide an audible indication responsive to the controller. This isachieved, for example, by the controller operating to drive the steppermotor in a vibratory fashion so as to produce an audible output from themotor and components connected thereto. This may avoid the need in someATMs for having a separate audible output device. Thus, for example, thecontroller may be programmed to indicate to a user of the ATM that anempty deposit envelope has been picked and moved through the transportthrough the deposit opening, and is ready for the user to take. Uponsensing the empty envelope in this position, the controller may causethe stepper motor to be driven to vibrate and provide an audible “beep”or periodic audible signal so as to indicate to the user that they needto take action. Audible signals may also be provided in othercircumstances such as to indicate a malfunction. In some embodimentsdifferent audible signals may be produced through vibratory action. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the floormember 136 generally operates to maintain the lowermost envelope out ofengagement with the picking belts during the times that an envelope isnot being picked. This helps to maintain a desirable contour for thelowermost envelope so as to facilitate the picking thereof when thefloor member is lowered. It should be understood that the featuresdescribed in connection with picking envelopes may also be applied topicking other types of media such as sheets.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the portionof the baffle member which serves as a gate is configured so as tomaintain security by keeping access to a deposit holding containerthrough the gap 188 blocked at appropriate times while an envelope isbeing delivered to the user. This further provides additional securityso as to minimize the risk that deposited items can be fished out of thecontainer by criminals. Of course many other additional advantages areobtained through the principles employed in the exemplary embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 adjacent to theouter area 122 is adapted to both deliver empty envelopes to a user fromthe machine as well as to accept envelopes for deposit into the machine.Such accepted envelopes may have uniform or non-uniform contours. Asshown in FIG. 22, outlet rolls 222 are supported on outlet shaft 224. Inthe exemplary embodiment the elastic transport belts 180 extend aroundthe outlet rolls 222. Belt support rolls 220 extend through openings ina base surface of the platen in the delivery section and are in abuttingrelation with the outlet rolls 222 when an envelope is not extending inbetween.

In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 includes side walls236 which transversely bound the transport. Side walls 236 includetherein generally upward extending angled slots 238. The angled slots238 are sized so as to accept the opposed ends of an outlet shaft 234therein in movable relation. Circular guides 240 positioned on theoutlet shaft 224 facilitate movement of the outer shaft 224 relative tothe slot. Further, in the exemplary embodiment angled slots 238 areangled such that the tension applied by the elastic transport belts 180is operative to bias the outlet rolls 222 and the outlet shaft 224toward the lower end of the slot. This facilitates maintaining thetransport belts and rolls in engagement with the envelope.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the exemplary embodiment the outer end 122 ofthe transport is provided with a cover housing referred to herein as abezel 242 which includes an opening 244 therein through which envelopespass to and from a user. The bezel 242 is operatively connected to thedelivery section 218. Further movably mounted in underlying relation ofthe bezel of the exemplary embodiment is a movable gate member 246 whichis later discussed in detail. In FIG. 23 the gate member 246 is shown inan open position. As shown in FIG. 23, a sensor 248 is provided withinthe transport inboard of the outlet rolls 222. In the exemplaryembodiment sensor 248 comprises a plurality of movable members orfingers that are movable and extend through transversely disposed slotsin locations across the transport. The members move in the slots inresponse to the presence or absence of envelopes in that position. FIG.25 shows the plurality of sensor members associated with sensor 248disposed in areas across the transport. Further, the nature of thesensor members further assists in helping to move the envelopes byreducing surface tension between the envelopes and the base of thetransport. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor members are inoperative connection with an electrical switch, photo interrupter, orother sensor which provides a suitable signal to the controller. Acentral rib 250 is also provided adjacent the outlet to reduce surfacetension and facilitate envelope movement.

FIG. 24 is representative of the useful properties of the exemplarymounting provided for outlet shaft 224 and outlet rolls 222. The abilityof the shaft to move in the angled slots 238 responsive to envelopes ofvarying thickness facilitates the ability thereof to conform the heightof the envelopes so that the transport belts 180 may engage theenvelopes sufficiently so as to move the envelopes therein. Further, theelastic nature of the transport belts in combination with the angledslots 238 serves to bias the outlet rolls 222 along with the transportbelts into engagement with the envelopes. FIG. 26 shows an exemplaryenvelope containing coin 252. In envelope 252 the coin is shown disposedto one side of the envelope. The clearance provided within the transportenables this coin containing envelope to be moved by the transport beltsinto the transport. An alternative envelope is shown within thetransport in FIG. 27. This envelope 254 contains folded notes whichenter the transport and underlie the outlet rolls 222. As represented inFIG. 27, the outlet rolls and the transport belts supported thereon areenabled to move so as to allow the envelope to pass while remaining inengagement with the envelope. This generally enables the envelope to betransported without tearing or breaking open.

Further, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the displaceablecharacter of the pressure applying rolls 226 which in the exemplaryembodiment are mounted to be displaceable on curved leaf springs 227help to maintain the engagement of the transport belts with theenvelopes after the envelope is moved past the outlet rolls 222.Further, the flexible biased mounting of the pressure rolls 226 enablesenvelopes of varying contours and thickness to pass. In addition, thecurved portion 215 of the platen 214 and the forces applied by theoverlying transport belts maintain a transported envelope in capturedrelation between the surface of the platen, belt support rolls and thebelts so as to facilitate movement thereof. As represented by the forcevector arrows in FIGS. 19 and 20, the force of the belts serves tomaintain such engagement. In the exemplary embodiment this enablesenvelopes of uneven contour to be moved intact to the area of the gap188 from which the envelopes may pass into the deposit holding container128. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary. However, the principles described may be applied in manyembodiments to achieve the transport of envelopes or other media orstacks thereof having regular or irregular contours.

In an exemplary embodiment the rolls used for the outlet rolls 222 ofthe transport and the outlet shaft 224 may have the structures shown inFIGS. 28 through 30. As shown in these Figures the rolls 222 are shownwithout the crowned outer cover that engages the transport belts whenthe rolls are in operation. In some exemplary embodiments the outletrolls 222 are free wheeling relative to the shaft. Further, in someexemplary embodiments it is desirable that the rolls rotate in eitherdirection with low resistance to friction, be readily assembled on theshaft and be reliable in terms of maintaining engagement with and theirposition relative to the shaft. In the exemplary embodiment this isachieved by the rolls being formed with a body having an integralbushing portion 256. Bushing portion 256 terminates at an inboard end atan annular flat surface 258. The annular flat surface 258 is adapted toengage in slidable relation with a radially extending annular stepsurface 260 on the shaft. The engagement of the annular flat surfacewith the radially extending step surface is operative to limit the axialmovement of the roller relative to the shaft.

The exemplary bushing portion 256 includes thereon at an opposed annularend from the annular flat surface, a plurality of radially inwardextending deformable fingers 262. In the exemplary embodiment the inwardextending fingers have outward edges that extend radially inwardrelative to the bore 264 which is sized to accept the shaft and whichextends through the bushing portion. In the exemplary embodiment theinward extending fingers 262 as well as the bushing portion arecomprised of generally rigid but resilient material such that the inwardextending fingers may deform but quickly reassume their original inwardextending contour.

The shaft 224 of the exemplary embodiment includes therein annularrecesses 266. The annular recesses 266 are axially disposed from thestep surfaces a distance generally corresponding to the axial distancebetween the annular flat surface 258 and the inward extending fingers262 of the rolls. Further, the size and distance between the stepsurface and annular recesses is such that in some exemplary embodimentsthe rolls 222 are enabled to readily rotate relative to the shaft whenthe roller is mounted thereon such that the inward extending fingers areextended into and movable in the adjacent annular recess.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the rollers222 may be mounted on the shaft 224 without the use of tools orfasteners. As represented in FIGS. 28 and 30, the rolls are movedrelatively axially onto the shaft so that the shaft is extended into thebore 264 of the bushing portion. The inward extending fingers 262 aredeformed from their original position temporarily as the roll is movedaxially inward relative to the shaft. However, once the inward extendingfingers reach the annular recesses 266, the fingers resume their normalshape. This engagement of the fingers within the annular recesses servesto hold the rollers in position relative to the shaft. Further, when theroller is moved axially such that the finger portions engage in theannular recess, the annular flat surface comes into abutting relationwith the annular step surface on the shaft. Such engagement preventsfurther axial movement of the roller which may cause the fingers to moveout of the annular recess. Once additional axial force moving the rolleris stopped, the engagement of the fingers in the annular recess causesthe annular flat surface in the exemplary embodiment to be adjacent tobut disposed slightly away from the annular step surface, so as toenable the generally free rotation of the roller relative to the shaft.In this position the annular flat surface 258 of the roller is disposedsufficiently adjacent to the corresponding step surface 260 such thatthe roller is enabled to freely rotate relative to the shaft but isgenerally prevented from moving further axially inward by engagementwith the step surface. Further, in this exemplary embodiment the taperedcontour of the inwardly extending fingers 262 causes forces tending tomove the rollers axially outward on the shaft to be resisted byengagement of the outer ends of the fingers with the radially outwardextending surfaces on the axially outward side of the annual recesses266. As can be appreciated, this approach and method provides a readylow-friction mounting for the rollers relative to the shaft and reliablelow-friction positioning and rotation of the rollers relative to theshaft.

In the exemplary embodiment the principles described in conjunction withthe mounting of outlet rolls 222 may also be applied to other rolls.FIG. 31 shows an exemplary form of the guide rolls 228 used in thetransport for guiding the return flight of the transport belts. Guiderolls 228 are shown mounted on a guide shaft 268. The guide rolls 228include structures similar to that described in connection with rolls222 to enable the ready mounting and rotation of the rolls relative tothe shaft. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.Specifically and without limitation, in some embodiments specificfeatures may be included for purposes of providing rolls that are infixed engagement so that the rolls rotate with the drive shaft. This maybe accomplished for example by including interengaging projections andrecesses on the rolls and shaft structures. Such structures may includeaxially extending or radially extending projections or a combination ofboth, depending on the nature of the application and the nature of theforces being transmitted. Those having skill in the art may devisevarious approaches for achieving the desired degree of forcetransmission between the rolls and shafts.

In some exemplary embodiments of the deposit accepting mechanism 120,difficulties may be presented by envelopes that enter or exit thetransport in a manner that is skewed relative to the direction ofmovement of the transport belts 180. For example in FIG. 41, an envelope270 is shown with an edge extending that is folded on the right side ofthe transport as shown due to envelope skewing. This may occur forexample by the envelope 270 having become skewed in the transport whilebeing dispensed and having moved outward through the transport in askewed position. Alternatively, such skewing may have occurred due to auser inserting the envelope in a skewed manner. FIG. 40 is a top viewshowing the envelope with the folded edge within the transport andhaving an edge thereof adjacent to the outlet shaft 224. FIG. 39 isrepresentative of the envelope 270 being entered into the transport fordeposit in a skewed manner.

As can best be appreciated from FIG. 41, in the exemplary embodiment theskewed nature of an envelope can present problems in operation. Suchproblems may occur both in envelope dispensing and in receivingenvelopes. For example, if an envelope is being dispensed to a user andit is skewed in the manner shown in FIG. 41, the folded end of theenvelope may be obstructed in passing outward by the outlet shaft 224.When this occurs, a jam will be sensed adjacent the outlet and/or theenvelope may be torn or damaged when presented to the user. Likewise,skewed envelopes may also be a problem with regard to deposit acceptingoperations. For example, an envelope may be accepted into the transportand then due to the envelope having certain sensed parameters thatsuggests that it should be returned to the customer, the controlleroperates to reverse the transport belts 180 so as to pass the envelopeback to the user. If in these circumstances the envelope is skewed andthe trailing edge is already moved into the transport past the outletshaft 224, the folded edge of the envelope may catch on the shaft. Thismay result in an inability to return the envelope and/or envelopetearing or damage.

In some alternative embodiments the problems associated with skewedenvelopes can be reduced through use of envelope guides. Such envelopeguides may operate to urge skewed envelopes to assume a particularcontour or configuration which more readily enables them to pass intoand/or out of the transport without engaging other structures which maycause damage, jams or tearing. An exemplary embodiment of such guides isshown in FIGS. 34-37. Envelope guides 272 and 274 are mounted on opposedsides of the transport belts in supporting connection with the sidewalls of the transport. Of course as can be appreciated in FIG. 34, theleft side transport belt is not shown for purposes of clarity. While inthe exemplary embodiment the envelope guides are mounted in fixedrelation relative to side walls 236, in other embodiments such guidesmay be movably mounted and/or spring loaded.

As the envelope guides 272 and 274 are mirror images of each other, onlyguide 272 will be described in detail. The guide 272 includes acontoured generally vertically extending surface 276. In the exemplaryembodiment the vertical guide 276 extends in a generally inwarddepending shape so as to be extending further inward relative to thetransport with increasing proximity to the outlet shaft 224. Theexemplary form of the envelope guide 272 further includes a generallydownward facing surface 278. Downward facing surface 278 is tapered soas to be closer to the platen surface of the transport with increasingproximity to the outlet shaft. This urges items to move below the outletshaft. Of course as can be appreciated, the exemplary form of theenvelope guide 272 has a vertically extending termination surface 280that is sufficiently disposed from the outlet shaft 224 so as not tointerfere with the movement thereof. This is shown in FIG. 35.

As best represented in FIGS. 34 and 36, an envelope 282 which is skewedrelative to the transport is enabled to be more readily moved inward andoutward past the outlet rolls 222. This results because if the envelopeis being dispensed and is skewed in the manner shown in FIG. 34, theleading folded edge of the envelope engages the downward facing surfacesof the envelope guides and is caused to be deformed in a manner so thatthe folded edge of the envelope may move beneath the outlet shaft 224.This is further shown by the relationship between the downward facingsurface 278 of the guide which extends generally at about the level ofthe bottom of the undeformed position of the outlet shaft 224. Thus asthe envelope is moved outward, the folded edge passes beneath the outletshaft and does not become caught thereon. Further, as can be appreciatedthe inward extending vertical guide surfaces facilitate envelopes whichmay be skewed sufficiently severely to be moved so that the folded overedges thereof engage the rollers and through the action thereof aremoved to deform and pass under the outlet shaft.

Similar principles may be applied in circumstances where an envelope isinserted into the transport in a skewed manner such as is represented inFIG. 37. In such circumstances the skewed envelope will generally bedeformed and folded so as to move past the outlet rolls 222. However, ifit is necessary to reject the deposited envelope, the guides willoperate so as to deform the edges so that the envelope can pass outwardunderneath the outlet shaft. Such approaches facilitate reliablemovement of envelopes into and out of the transport despite suchenvelopes being skewed and may avoid envelope jams and provide increasedreliability. Of course that these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In some embodiments challenges may be faced by users attempting toinsert relatively large and/or uneven contoured envelopes into theautomated banking machine for deposit. In some cases such envelopes maynot be readily accepted because the movably mounted outlet rolls 222 andthe transport belts 180 supported thereon may not readily displaceupwardly to a sufficient degree in response to engaging the envelope toenable an envelope of high thickness to enter in between. This may beparticularly a challenge in situations where there are relatively thickor unevenly contoured envelopes which are comprised of low frictionmaterial. In such circumstances the transport belts may not havesufficient frictional engagement with the envelope so as to enable theenvelope to move into the nip between the outlet rolls 222 and theassociated transport belts and rollers 220. Such deficiencies may resultin users trying to force envelopes into the transport. This increasesthe risks of envelope breakage and/or jamming.

To enable envelopes having higher thicknesses and/or lower frictionalproperties to more readily enter the outer end of the envelopetransport, some alternative embodiments of the invention may incorporatestructures like that shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. In this exemplaryalternative embodiment, the outlet rolls 222 are mounted relative to theoutlet shaft 224 such that rotation of the outlet rolls responsive tothe transport belts 180 cause shaft 224 to rotate. This may be done forexample in the manner previously discussed by providing engagingconnection between the outlet rolls 222 and the shaft. Of coursealternative means for fixing the outlet rolls to the shaft such thatthey rotate together, may be employed.

In this exemplary alternative embodiment knobby rolls 284 are mounted toand rotate with the outlet shaft 224. For purposes of this disclosure,knobby rolls are rolls with outer surfaces which include projectionsthat provide enhanced gripping action. In the exemplary embodimentknobby rolls 284 are mounted such that there is one position on theshaft in intermediate relation of the outlet rolls 222 as well as one oneach outboard side between the outlet rolls 222 and the side wall 236.In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls are comprised of generallyfirm but resilient material in the area of engagement with the envelope.Such area of engagement is also comprised of material having sufficientgripping frictional properties so as to facilitate engaging and movingthe envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls 284 arecomprised of generally a cross shape with generally curved outersurfaces 286. As best shown in FIG. 33, the exemplary form of the knobbyrolls provide for the curved surfaces 286 to extend somewhat furtherradially outward than the surface of the transport belts 180 on theoutlet rolls 222. However, the outer surfaces 286 are positioned so thatwhen the outlet shaft 224 is at the bottom of the angled slot 238, theouter surfaces 286 are enabled to pass the base surface of the transportwithout engagement.

In operation of this alternative embodiment, the knobby rolls 284 rotatewith the outlet rolls 222 and the transport belts 180. Upon engagementwith an envelope the outer surfaces 286 of the knobby rolls provideadditional traction on the envelope, urging it to move into thetransport to facilitate movement of the outlet shaft 224 upward. Inaddition in the exemplary embodiment arcuate recesses 288 which extendbetween the outer surfaces 286 provide a further engaging force at theareas leading to the outer surfaces which further serve to help theshaft to move upward and to pull envelopes past the outlet shaft 224.This action enables the alternative transport to handle larger sizedenvelope thicknesses or uneven contours without damage to the envelopes.Further, as can be appreciated, the nature of the knobby rolls 284 issuch that the rolls provide similar traction in moving envelopes in anoutward direction through the transport. This may facilitate therejection of envelopes within the transport that must be returned to thecustomer. The knobby rolls may also serve to facilitate the movement outof a transport of a stack of empty envelopes which due to malfunction inloading have become engaged together and which may only be moved fromthe transport as part of a stack. This may occur for example withcertain types of envelopes which have tabs which may have beeninadvertently interlocked or which through contamination or errors inthe manufacturing process have become stuck together. Of course itshould be understood that the structures described in connection withknobby rolls are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary form of the envelope acceptingmechanism 120 is that the mechanism may be more readily adapted for usein various types of automated banking machines. This is enabled byproviding that the delivery section 218 may extend horizontally beyondcurved portion 215 by varying distances. This may be useful forutilizing the mechanism within various types of machines where theposition of the components within the machine relative to the opening atthe outer end may vary. FIGS. 42-44 show an exemplary structure used inan embodiment of the invention so as to facilitate the delivery section218 being of different lengths.

In the exemplary delivery section 218 shown, the delivery section iscomprised of two interengaging sections 290 and 292. Delivery section292 in this exemplary embodiment is positioned adjacent to the outer end122 and includes the structures associated with the outlet rolls andshaft. Section 292 includes the side walls 236 having angled slots 238.Further as can be seen in FIGS. 42 and 43, Section 292 includes a baseplaten surface 294 having apertures 296 therein in which the beltsupport rollers 220 which underlie the outlet rolls 222 are mounted. Inthe exemplary embodiment the base surface 294 includes at opposedtransverse ends, formed shaft supporting pockets 298. Shaft supportingpockets 298 are adapted for the receipt of shafts portions 299 therein(see FIG. 23), which shafts support the rollers which extend in theapertures when the unit is assembled. Further section 292 includes slots300 through which the contacting movable fingers associated withenvelope sensor 248 extend. Section 292 further includes an angledlead-in surface 302. Lead-in surface 302 in the exemplary embodiment isserrated for purposes of cooperating with the gate member 246 in amanner later discussed.

Section 290 also includes side walls 304 and a base platen surface 306.Base platen surface 306 includes apertures 308 for accepting beltsupport rollers as well as shaft supporting pockets 310 similar to shaftsupporting pockets 298. In the exemplary form of section 290 the basesurface 306 also includes slots 312 for purposes of allowing fingersassociated with a mid-transport envelope sensor to movably extend therethrough. Further, sections 290 and 292 further include fasteningopenings 214 which are used for mounting further structures thereon suchas rib 250. Of course it should be understood that these structures areexemplary and other embodiments or other structures may be used.

As best shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes at a forward end thereof,a downward depending wall 316 with locator tabs 318 extending thereon.Recesses extend between the locator tabs 318. Section 292 includes adownward extending U-shaped wall 320. U-shaped wall 320 includes cutouts322 therein. U-shaped wall 320 is configured such that the distancebetween the legs which comprise the U-shaped wall are spacedsufficiently apart to accept wall 316 of section 290 therein. Further,the cutouts 322 are sized and positioned such that tabs 318 are enabledto be engaged therewith in aligned relation. This is represented in FIG.44. As can be appreciated when the tabs and cutouts are engaged, thewalls 236 and 304 of sections 290 and 292 are generally aligned as arethe adjacent portions of base platen surfaces 294 and 306. Further asshown in FIG. 44 in the exemplary embodiment, the areas where thesections come together are rounded so as to facilitate the movement ofenvelopes or other media through the area of the joint while minimizingthe risk of snagging.

Further in the exemplary embodiment section 292 includes an ear portion324. Ear portion 324 includes an aperture 326 therein. Aperture 326 ispositioned in aligned relation with an opening 328 in side wall 304 whenthe sections 290 and 292 are assembled. The fastener device (notseparately shown) is extended to engage the aperture 326 and the opening328 so as to hold the sections in engaged relation.

As further shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes a further folded wallportion 330 having cutouts 332 therein. Further section 290 includes earportions 334 with apertures 336 therein. As can be appreciated, thesestructures are similar to those used to join sections 290 and 292 andmay be used to engage section 290 with a further transport section suchas a further horizontally extending section or an upper end of thecurved platen 214.

As can be appreciated, in this exemplary embodiment the delivery section218 which extends horizontally outward between the fascia of theautomated banking machine and the curved portion of the transport, maybe made of various lengths depending on the length and number ofsections used. Therefore, the envelope depository mechanism of theexemplary embodiment may be utilized in more types of machines. Furtherthe structures employed are readily assembled and minimize the risk ofenvelopes snagging as they pass between the sections of the transport.Of course it should be understood that these structures are exemplaryand in other embodiments, other structures and approaches may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, a gate deviceis employed to minimize the risk that persons will access the transportand the interior of the banking machine in attempts to gain access tovaluable items therein. In the exemplary embodiment the gate ispositioned adjacent to the outer end 122 and operates to control accessthrough the opening 244. In the exemplary embodiment the gate operatesso as to only provide access through the opening when the controlleroperates the machine to dispense an envelope to a user, or when themachine is operating to conduct a transaction in which a depositenvelope is to be received within the machine. Of course it should beunderstood that the structures and methods described are exemplary andin other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As best shown in FIGS. 45-50, a gate member 246 is rotatable about apivot 338. The pivot 338 is supported by side walls 236 of transportsection 292. Further, the gate member 246 and pivot are positionedbehind bezel 242. In the exemplary embodiment bezel 242 includes both afront wall 340 and side walls 342. In the exemplary embodiment the sidewalls extend rearward from the front wall and overlie the gate as wellas the outer end of section 292 so as to reduce the risk of tampering.Further, in the exemplary embodiment bezel 242 includes a top wall 344and a bottom wall 346. The top and bottom walls further overlie the gateand the end of section 292 to reduce the risk of tampering. Of course itshould be understood that these structures are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

Exemplary bezel 242 includes walls 348, 350 which bound the opening 244at the upper and lower sides respectively. Bezel 244 also includesinwardly tapered side walls 352. Walls 348, 350 and 352 form a funnelshaped throat so as to facilitate movement of envelopes into and out ofthe opening 244. Further bezel front wall 340 includes an aperture 354.In the exemplary embodiment aperture 354 enables user observation ofillumination devices such as LEDs that are selectively illuminatedresponsive to the controller. This provides for the controller toilluminate the lighting devices so as to draw a user's attention to theopening 244 at appropriate times during transactions. This may includefor example when the unit is dispensing an envelope to a user and/orwhen the user is expected to deposit an envelope into the device. Insome exemplary embodiments the light emitting devices may provide forillumination in different colors and/or may flash at differentfrequencies in response to the controller. This may further facilitateguiding a user of the automated banking machine's attention to theopening at appropriate times. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

As best shown in FIG. 50, in the exemplary embodiment gate 246 includesan outward extending portion 356. Outward extending portion 356 in theclosed position of the gate shown in FIG. 50 overlies the inside of theupper wall 348 of the bezel. This serves to reduce opportunities forunauthorized access to the interior of the machine when the gate isclosed.

Further as shown in FIG. 50, gate 246 includes a lower inward extendingportion 358. Inward extending portion 358 comprises a plurality oftransversely disposed recesses which provide a generally serratedsurface in the exemplary embodiment. This surface meshes ininterengaging relation with a plurality of projections that areelongated in the direction of movement of envelopes in the transport,and which are alternatively referred to herein as zipper portions 380.In the closed position of the gate, the projections also extend throughthe serrated lead-in surface 302 of base 294. In this exemplaryembodiment the interengaging relation of the protections, the serratedinward extending portion 358 and the serrated lead-in portion 302 in theclosed position of the gate 246 helps to minimize the risk of tampering.This is achieved because deformation of the gate by persons attemptingtampering may cause the gate to interlock and jam adjacent structures soas to prevent the opening thereof. Further, the structure of theexemplary embodiment reduces the opportunities for persons to gainaccess to the interior of the banking machine through the use of pryingtools or other devices.

In the exemplary embodiment an actuator member 360 is movably mounted insupporting connection with the delivery section 218 as best shown inFIG. 46. Actuator member 360 in the exemplary embodiment is enabled tomove back and forth generally transverse to the direction of movement ofthe gate along the lines of Arrow V through the action of interengagingpins and slots 362. In the exemplary embodiment the slots 364 have anenlarged circular end portion through which the enlarged heads of thepins 366 may be extended. However, the configuration of the enlarged endportions of the slots are such that the actuator member can only beengaged and disengaged from certain of the pins in particular positions.As a result the risk that the actuator member may be disengaged from itssupporting pins in any particular position in the course of its travelis reduced.

In the exemplary embodiment the actuator member includes a cam slot 368adjacent to the forward end thereof. The cam slot is bounded within theactuator by a cam surface. A cam follower 370 is in connection with thegate 246 and is engaged in the cam slot 368. Further in the exemplaryembodiment the cam slot 368 includes an enlarged area 372 at an extremeend thereof. The enlarged area 372 is in an area of the cam slot beyondwhere the cam follower is positioned when the gate moves between theopen and closed positions. The enlarged area is used for facilitatingassembly by providing access for the head 370 of the cam follower toextend into the cam slot. However, as is the case with the other pin andguide structures, once the head is moved away from the enlarged area inthe cam slot as would be the case at all times during normal operationof the mechanism, the enlarged head is unable to move out of theengaging slot.

As shown in FIG. 46, the actuator member 360 includes a gear rackportion 374 in operative connection therewith. The gear rack portion isengaged with a rotatable gear 376 which is driven by a drive (notseparately shown). The drive is operated to rotate the gear selectivelyin either direction responsive to the controller in the banking machine.In the exemplary embodiment the condition of the gate is determined bysensing the position of the actuator member.

In the operation of the banking machine when the gate member 246 is tobe opened, the actuator member 360 is moved to the forward positionshown in FIG. 47. This causes the cam follower 370 to move from the camslot 368 to a relatively low position in a generally horizontallyextending end portion of the cam slot. Because the cam follower ispositioned on an opposite side of the pivot 338, the inward extendingportion 358 of the gate is moved upward beyond the opening 244. This isthe position of the gate shown in FIG. 23 and enables items to pass inand out of the transport.

Movement of the actuator member 360 rearward causes the cam follower 370to move to an intermediate position in a middle portion of the cam slot368 which is shown in FIGS. 45 and 48. In this position the gate 246 isbetween the open and closed positions. Further movement of actuatormember 360 rearward from the position shown in FIGS. 45 and 48 moves thecam follower by engagement with the cam surface bounding the slot into agenerally horizontally extending upper end portion 378 of the cam slot368. In this position the gate is moved to the forward closed positionshown in FIG. 50. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 48 and 47, the upperend portion of the cam slot extends in a generally horizontal and asomewhat downward facing orientation. In the exemplary embodiment thisreduces the risk that the gate member can be forced open by causing theactuator member 360 to move. This results because external force appliedtoward opening the gate does not result in the cam follower 370 applyingforce on the actuator member 360 that would tend to cause it totranslate along the direction of Arrow V. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As previously mentioned, in the exemplary embodiment the bezel includesin supporting connection therewith projections which are referred to aszipper portions 380. Zipper portions 380 are operative in the exemplaryembodiment to extend in engaged relation in recesses in inward extendingportion 358 of the gate member 246 and the serrated lead in surface 302of the base 294. Zipper portions 380 extend in the direction oftransport and in interlocking relation between the openings in themembers when the gate is in the closed position. Such zipper portionsmay further serve to provide resistance to deformation and tamperingwith the gate member. Of course these structures are exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

Further in the exemplary embodiment circuitry and programming of thecontroller may be employed to facilitate dealing with situations and mayoccur at the ATM and which may otherwise cause problems or an out ofservice condition. Such conditions may sometimes result from personssticking their fingers or other objects in the opening to the transportat times when the gate is to move from the open to the closed position.Other conditions which may occur may result from moisture entering thearea adjacent to the gate and then freezing due to the ATM beingpositioned in an outdoor environment. When this occurs the ice thatforms may cause the gate to be frozen shut. A further alternativecondition that may occur may be a situation when the envelope such asone that has been dispensed from the mechanism to a customer oralternatively one that a customer may have begun to insert, is left inthe opening in an area underneath the gate.

In an exemplary embodiment the controller in conjunction with associatedcircuitry is operative to monitor at least one parameter associated withgate movement as a function of time. In the exemplary embodiment, theparameter monitored is current and the controller is operative tocompare a normal profile of current versus time for a normal gateopening and/or closing operation with a current versus time profile thatis encountered during each opening and closing operation of the gate.This is achieved in the exemplary embodiment by monitoring the currentdraw versus time for the drive that moves gear 376. Such comparisonswhich are ongoing in the opening and closing operations, enabledetection of undesirable or unusual conditions and the controlleroperates in accordance with its programming to prevent malfunctions orto minimize damage that may result from such conditions.

If for example the gate is frozen in the closed position due to freezingrain or other conditions, the current versus time profile encounteredwhen the controller operates to try to open the gate would indicate ahigh electrical current in a short period of time after the gate iscommanded to open. The comparison executed by the processor of theencountered current versus time profile to the expected profile wouldindicate the anomaly to the controller which would then operate inaccordance with its programmed instructions to prevent further attemptsto open the gate and/or would indicate a problem to a user and/orservicer. Further in some exemplary embodiments the programmingassociated with the controller may continue to enable the machine tooperate to carry out transactions even though the deposit transaction isunavailable. In some exemplary embodiments the controller may furtheroperate in accordance with its programming to attempt further correctiveaction such as causing the drive for the geared actuator to go into avibratory mode of the type previously discussed through the use ofstepper motors so as to break loose any obstruction. Alternatively or inaddition the controller may operate to turn on heaters, cause a de-icingmaterial to be applied to the area of the gate or to take other actionwhich may be suitable for purposes of bringing the machine back intonormal operation. The controller may operate after attempting thecorrective action to operate the gate and take repeat or othercorrective action if a problem is still encountered.

In other exemplary circumstances a person may stick their fingers orother objects into the area of the open gate. Again, in thesecircumstances the circuitry and/or processor comparing the currentversus time profile encountered for the drive attempting to move theactuator member would detect the discrepancy between what is actuallybeing encountered and that which is normally expected. In suchcircumstances, however, the controller may operate in accordance withits programming to cause the drive to reverse the direction of theactuator so as to open the gate. In addition or in the alternative thecontroller may operate in accordance with its programming to take stepsto clear the jam. This may include for example taking repeated steps toopen and close the gate. Alternatively or in addition the controller mayoperate to cause the drive to run the transport belts and/or to dispenseand/or retract one or more envelopes from the transport so as to attemptto clear the obstructions.

Alternatively or in addition the controller within the machine that isoperative to compare the current versus time profile encountered in agiven situation to that which is normally expected may be programmablyoperated to take actions selectively depending on the nature of theprofile encountered. For example, if the current versus time profileencountered shows a moderate and/or gradual rise in current draw as thegate is reaching the closed position, this may be indicative of thepresence of fingers, an envelope or other generally soft material.Alternatively if a rapid rise occurs it may indicate the insertion of ahard substance or tool into the transport. This may be indicative of aburglary attempt or other malfunction, and appropriate authorities maybe notified. This may be done in the manner indicated in U.S. Pat. No.5,984,178, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.Alternatively, the ATM or associated device may be operative to captureand store images of the user and/or the machine. This may be done in themanner shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,810, which is also incorporatedherein by reference. The controller may operate to take actions based onits programming responsive to the profile encountered.

Further in some exemplary embodiments the features associated withmonitoring the current versus time profile in a given situation andcomparing it to an expected current versus time profile may be combinedwith other sensing features such as sensing the position in which thegate encounters the obstruction, sensing the area of the gate with theobstruction, the temperature in the area of the gate and otherappropriate sensors so as to enable the controller to make selectivedeterminations as to actions to be attempted. Of course, theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other or additionalapproaches may be used.

As previously discussed, in an exemplary embodiment a recording devicewhich comprises an inkjet printer is used. As shown in FIG. 51, in theexemplary embodiment an inkjet printer 382 comprises a removablecartridge that is mounted with a print head including nozzles adjacentto platen 214. The inkjet printer is operated such that ink is sprayedout of the nozzles in the print head to produce patterns of indicia ontoenvelopes that pass through the transport in supporting connection withplaten 214. In the exemplary embodiment the inkjet printer is operativeto produce the indicia by directing ink through an opening in a wiperdevice 384 as later discussed.

In the exemplary embodiment a mechanism for catching excess ink which isnot deposited onto envelopes, as well as which helps to maintainenvelopes in an appropriate position is provided. In the exemplaryembodiment this is accomplished through an ink spittoon generallyindicated 386. The exemplary form of the ink spittoon which serves as avessel and which includes a generally hollow body 388 with a cavity 390therein. Cavity 390 has an opening thereto indicated 392. Opening 392generally overlies the nozzles of the inkjet printer 382 in theoperative position of the spittoon as shown in FIG. 51. As can beappreciated, this enables ink that is output by the nozzles of the printhead to pass into the cavity 390 within the body 388 through the opening392 if no envelope or other item is present in intermediate relation inthe transport.

The exemplary form of the spittoon 386 includes a head portion 394. Headportion 394 includes a pair of outward-extending arms 396 whichterminate in pivot pins 398. In the exemplary embodiment pins 398 arereleasibly engageable in opposed walls bounding the area above thecurved platen 214 to provide a pivot mount. In addition, pins 398 areengaged with such walls so as to enable the spittoon to generallyreadily rotate about the pins for purposes that are later explained, andto generally bias the opening 392 toward the location of the nozzles.

In the exemplary embodiment, the body 388 includes in operativeconnection therewith a rotatable door 400 which serves as an accessmember that enables access to the interior cavity within the spittoon.Door 400 is rotatable about a hinge portion 402 so as to enable accessto the cavity 390. Door 400 of the exemplary embodiment includesintegral snap projections 404 which are operative to releasibly engagesnap accepting recesses 406 in the side walls of the body 388 boundingthe cavity 390. Door 400 enables the interior of the cavity to bereadily accessed for purposes of cleaning ink from the interior thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment of the spittoon 386, the body 388 isconfigured to include a cam surface 408. Cam surface 408 is contoured soas to urge envelopes or other media moving inward in supportingconnection with platen 214 to be moved towards the nozzles of the inkjetprinter 382. Body 388 further includes a cam surface 410. Cam surface410 is contoured so as to direct envelopes or other media moving outwardpast the inkjet printer to be urged towards the platen 214 and theprinter nozzles. In the exemplary embodiment a generally planer surface412, which includes the opening 392, extends between cam surfaces 408and 410. Of course, this structure is exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment of the spittoon 386 the cavity 390 includestherein a portion which extends below the opening 392. As a result, inkwhich may pass into the cavity through the opening tends to drip fromthe interior of the lid and walls bounding the cavity and to collect inthe lower portion thereof below the opening. In the exemplary embodimentas represented in FIG. 51, which shows the cavity in cross-section, aweir 414 is provided within the cavity so as to enable ink to build uptherein on the lower side of the weir away from the opening 392 to alevel vertically above the opening 392. This construction furtherfacilitates the spittoon operating for an extended period before itneeds to be cleaned or replaced.

In operation of the exemplary embodiment circumstances may occur whenthe controller operates the machine to print indicia on envelopes duringwhich no envelope is present. In such circumstances, the ink passes fromthe nozzles through the opening 392 and is captured within the cavity388. This ink may otherwise collect on other surfaces within the uniteventually causing the malfunction thereof. In addition or in thealternative, misdirected ink may result in collection of ink or othermaterial on envelopes, rollers and other surfaces that may impedeappropriate marking of envelopes. In addition, inkjet printers maysometimes benefit from periodic efforts to test and clear inkjet nozzlesthat may become clogged. The exemplary structures enable such testing tobe done with no envelope present, as the ink can be captured within thecavity of the spittoon structure. In addition, the structure furtheravoids the need for a cotton pad or other similar structure which issometimes used in printers to collect excess ink which must be capturedwhen no media is present. In alternative embodiments sensors may beprovided on the spittoon either inside or on an outer surface thereof tosense for operational aspects of the printer.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary spittoon structure is that thebody is biased about the pins toward an overlying relation with thenozzles of the print head of the inkjet print cartridge. The bodythereby serves to cover the inkjet nozzles and reduce the risk ofairborne dust or other contaminants collecting therein. In addition, thecam surfaces 408 and 410 serve to guide envelopes and/or other mediamoving past the inkjet printer into an appropriate position adjacent tothe inkjet nozzles so as to facilitate printing thereon. A furtheruseful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the pins and armstructures enable the ready disengagement of the body from the mechanismso as to facilitate replacement or cleaning. Further, the flip-open doorbounding the cavity further facilitates collecting the ink whileenabling more ready cleaning of the interior thereof. Of course, itshould be understood that these features are exemplary and in otherembodiments, other or additional features may be used.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, tending of the nozzles of the inkjetprinter 382 is achieved through movement of the wiper device 384. Aspreviously discussed, in the exemplary embodiment, the wiper devicespans the nozzle area of the inkjet printer 382 and includes openingstherein through which the nozzles may spray ink. This is best shown inthe operative position of the member 384 represented in FIG. 57. Wiperdevice 384 includes a resilient squeegee portion 416 that extendsdownward and is adapted to engage the surface of the inkjet printerincluding the ink nozzles. A pair of opposed pin members 418 extendoutward from the wiper device 384 in an area to the rear and above thesqueegee portion.

It is best shown in FIGS. 18 and 54 the leading end 420 of the wiperdevice 384 is operatively connected to arm 210. In the exemplaryembodiment the wiper is made generally readily releasable from the armsuch as through a shaft and detent connection. Arm 210 is operative torotate responsive to movement of the baffle 196 by the drive assembly200. This occurs due to the action of head tend roller 208 operating ona cam surface which is operatively connected to arm 210.

As represented in FIG. 55, platen 214 as formed therein a slot 422 inwhich the wiper device 384 is moveable. Adjacent to the slot in the areaof pins 418 are a pair of disposed ramp portions 424. Initially thewiper is positioned generally flush with the deposit item engagingsurface of the platen. Responsive to movement of the baffle 196, roller208 engages the cam on arm 210. Arm 210 moves and causes the wiperdevice 384 to move to the right as shown in FIGS. 54 through 57. Aswiper device 384 moves it is guided and maintained within the slot 422.As the wiper device 384 moves forward, pins 418 move upward as shown inengagement with ramp portions 424. This causes pins 418 to move upwardand onto the upper surface of the platen 214. In this position thesqueegee portion 416 continues to extend in the slot.

As the wiper device 384 moves forward the squeegee portion 416 is movedforward across the inkjet nozzles. Wiping force is further provided tothe squeegee portion by the engagement of the wiper device 384 with thesurface 412 of the overlying body 388 of the spittoon 386. Further, oncethe wiper device 384 has moved to a fully-forward position, thecontroller operates the drive so as to return the baffle 396 to itsoriginal position. As this occurs the wiper device 384 moves to the leftas shown causing the squeegee portion 416 to again wipe the inkjetnozzles. The wiper device eventually returns to a position where itsupper surface is flush with the platen. This wiping activity maintainsthe nozzles generally without an accumulation of ink adjacent theretoand helps to preserve the proper operation thereof. Further in theexemplary embodiment this activity maintaining the proper condition ofthe inkjet nozzles is accomplished in conjunction with movement of thebaffle which provides for the picking of empty deposit envelopes and theacceptance of deposit envelopes into the deposit holder container.Therefore because of interconnection between the gate, picking and headtending functions, the activities tending to the inkjet nozzles iscarried out when activities involving use of the printer are executed bythe machine. Of course, this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment servicing procedures may be readilyconducted so as to service and/or replace the inkjet printer cartridge,ink holding spittoon, and/or wiper. In the exemplary embodiment aservicer commences servicing by unlocking the lock that enablesaccessing the cabinet portion of the housing where the transport islocated. As later discussed, in the exemplary embodiment the baseportion 144 of the deposit mechanism is movably mounted on slides so asto enable it to be extended outside the machine for more readyservicing. As later discussed in detail, such movement is controlled soas to minimize the risk that persons who are servicing the machine andwho only have access to the cabinet portion do not improperly accessdeposit items. Therefore in some embodiments, servicers who haveauthority to access the chest portion and remove the deposit holdingcontainer so as to enable moving the deposit mechanism out of themachine may do so, which may make conducting the service procedures eveneasier.

In the exemplary embodiment the spittoon 386 may be readily disengagedfrom supporting connection with the housing by disengaging the pins 398extending on the head portion from the engaging recesses on the housing.This enables the spittoon to be moved away from the nozzles of theinkjet printer as well as to be moved outside the machine. Thereafter aservicer may open the door 400 on the spittoon to access the internalcavity and remove the accumulated ink therefrom. Alternatively aservicer may replace the spittoon with ink therein with a differentspittoon which has no accumulated ink therein. The servicer maythereafter replace the emptied spittoon or replacement spittoon inoperative connection with the housing of the machine by engaging thepins thereon with the housing.

In addition, preferably with the spittoon removed from the machine, aservicer may choose to clean or replace the wiper. This may beaccomplished by the servicer disengaging the wiper 384 from the arm 210.Such disengagement enables the wiper, including the squeegee portionthereon, to be moved outward from the opening in the platen 214 in whichthe wiper is normally positioned. With the wiper removed, a servicer mayclean and/or inspect the wiper, replace it in the opening, and reengagethe wiper with the arm. Alternatively, a servicer may choose to replacethe wiper with a new one. In such case the servicer will place thesubstitute wiper in the opening in the platen and reconnect the arm. Asgenerally it will be more efficient to replace the wiper with thespittoon removed, the servicer will reinstall the spittoon in movableengagement with the housing after the wiper is reinstalled.

Alternatively or in addition, a servicer may at the time of serving thespittoon and/or the wiper replace the inkjet printer cartridge 382. Aspreviously discussed, the printer cartridge is made to be removablymounted in supporting connection with the housing. This is preferablydone through deformable members which provide secure engagement for thecartridge but which enable rapid snap disengagement from the housing aswell as the electrical connections to the cartridge. A replacementcartridge may thereafter be substituted and placed in engagement withthe housing. In some methods of servicing, the servicer may replace thecartridge without removing the spittoon or wiper, or may remove and/orreplace certain items without replacing the other. The approach takenwill depend on the particular circumstances and the reason forservicing.

Generally once the servicer has conducted the service activities, theservicer will operate the machine so as to test the operation of thetransport and the printer. This may be done, for example, by passing anenvelope through the transport and printing indicia thereon. In anexemplary embodiment the servicer provides one or more inputs to themachine so that the controller is operative to cause the printer toprint test patterns of indicia so as to verify that the printer isworking properly. Once the servicer has verified that proper operationof the printer and transport is occurring, the servicer may close thehousing and return the ATM to service. Of course these methods areexemplary and in other embodiments other methods may be used.

In some exemplary embodiments one or more controllers in the automatedbanking machine may be programmed so as to cause operation of the inkjetprinter in ways that are responsive to environmental conditions.Environmental conditions in which the inkjet printer may operate may becompensated for or more effectively dealt with by changing operationalaspects of the inkjet printer, such as by changing the firing energyapplied to the inkjet nozzles and/or by changing the times during whichthe inkjet printer is caused to operate. Environmental conditions whichmay be addressed in the operation of some exemplary embodiments includethe effects of relatively low and high temperatures, changes in humidityand the altitude at which the banking machine is operated to carry outtransactions. Of course it should be understood that some or all ofthese environmental parameters may be addressed through operation of thecontroller and in some embodiments additional environmental parametersmay be addressed.

Inkjet printing generally involves moving ink from a storage reservoirin the print cartridge onto the item upon which indicia is printed.Generally ink flows from the reservoir in the print cartridge into astaging area where a propulsion mechanism is employed to expel the inkfrom nozzles. Common propulsion methods to expel the ink include thermaland mechanical devices. For example a mechanical device may include acollapsing bellows technique. In such embodiments constricting wallsurfaces reduce a volume in which ink is held, this pressurizes the inkand causes the ink to be expelled through a corresponding nozzle.Embodiments which employ thermal ink propulsion methods may includeheating ink stored in a space to an elevated temperature. Such anelevated temperature may be at or near the boiling point for the ink.Such heating of the ink within a space adjacent to the nozzle results inexpanded volume and pressurization which causes the ink to be expelledfrom a corresponding nozzle. Of course these approaches are exemplaryand some embodiments may also employ other types of propulsion methodsor combinations of thermal and mechanical ink propulsion methods.

Inkjet printers generally include a plurality of adjacent nozzles. Forpurposes of this disclosure operating the device used in the inkjetprinter to move ink in and/or from a nozzle is referred to as firing thenozzle. In printing indicia on an item nozzles are fired selectively inresponse to signals from one or more controllers so as to cause ink tobe expelled in ways that form indicia on items such as patterns,characters and other forms of marking such as those previouslydiscussed.

Automated banking machines can be required to operate in outdoorenvironments and are exposed to wide ranges of environmental conditions.Temperature variations effect ink viscosity. If the ink in the printcartridge becomes too cold, the ink can become more viscous and its flowrate can be reduced. This can reduce the ability of the ink to flow fromthe reservoir into a staging area and/or through a nozzle. Lowtemperatures can result in altered print quality and in some situationsmay prevent ink propulsion so that printing may be completely prevented.

In some exemplary embodiments the effects of low temperatures areaddressed through the programming of one or more controllers thatoperate to cause printing by the inkjet printer. In an exemplaryembodiment temperature of ink held within a reservoir 383 of an inkjetprinter is sensed by one or more temperature sensors schematicallyindicated 385 in FIG. 57. Temperature sensor 385 is in operativeconnection with one or more controllers through appropriate circuitry soas to provide signals indicative of the temperature of ink held in thereservoir 383. In some exemplary embodiments the temperature sensorcomprises a thermistor. Of course it should be understood that in otherembodiments other types of temperature sensors may be used. Further insome embodiments the temperature may be sensed at other locations in themachine which although not directly in contact with the ink arenonetheless indicative of the probable temperature of the ink stored inthe reservoir.

In an exemplary embodiment the one or more controllers that causeoperation of the inkjet printer are programmed so that when thetemperature sensed reaches a level, the controller operates to causebackground firing of the inkjet nozzles. This background firing in anexemplary embodiment includes firing the nozzles at a lower energy levelthan the energy level that is employed when the inkjet printer operatesto print indicia. This background firing is operative to maintain thecomponents of the inkjet printer that must operate to expel the inkwithin a suitable operating temperature. Also in an exemplary embodimentthe background firing is operative to warm the ink adjacent to thenozzles.

In some exemplary embodiments the controller may be operative torepeatedly fire the plurality of nozzles in the inkjet printer. Suchrepetitive background firing may occur more frequently with decreasingtemperature. Alternatively or in addition the controller may operate tocause the nozzles to fire with greater energy in response to decreasingtemperature. Conversely embodiments may operate to cause the nozzles tofire less frequently and/or with decreasing energy with increases intemperature until the temperature is sensed as being at a level at whichno increase in temperature is required in order to have the inkjetprinter operate properly.

It should be understood that in some embodiments the background firingof the nozzles may be at a sufficiently low energy level that little orno ink is actually expelled from the nozzles. Alternatively in someembodiments the firing may include sufficient energy such that ink isexpelled, and in an exemplary embodiment is capture by the spittoon. Ascan also be appreciated in some alternative embodiments the time periodduring which the background firing energy is applied to the nozzles maybe varied as well so as to control temperature.

As can be appreciated the carrying out of a transaction with the bankingmachine such that the inkjet printer is operated so as to print indiciaon an item, will include nozzle firing which will itself help tomaintain and/or increase temperature of the inkjet printer and the inkin the reservoir. The frequency of the machine conducting actualtransactions may reduce the time periods during which background firingof the nozzles is necessary to maintain an operative temperature. As canbe appreciated in the exemplary embodiment the background firing ofnozzles so as to maintain an elevated temperature is conducted onlyduring times that a machine is not operating to carry out the printingof indicia during transactions.

It should also be understood that in some embodiments there may be aneed for cooling of the ink held in a reservoir associated with aninkjet printer. As discussed hereafter, unduly elevated temperatures mayalso have adverse effects on printing capabilities. In some embodimentsthe cooling device may be in operative connection with ink held in areservoir. For example in some embodiments a cooling device whichoperates using the Peltier effect may be operated to maintain the ink inthe reservoir within a suitable range. Such a Peltier device may be inoperative connection with one or more controllers. The controllers maybe programmed responsive to sensing temperature of the ink at or abovean elevated level to cause the Peltier device to operate so as to reducethe temperature of the ink. Of course this approach is exemplary and inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

Elevated temperatures within the automated banking machine may also haveadverse effects on the ability of the inkjet printer to print indicia onitems. Temperature affects ink viscosity and at higher temperatures manytypes of ink become more volatile. As a result the ink becomes moreresponsive to the applied heat that the ink often absorbs upon nozzlefiring. Normal nozzle firing energies when applied to ink at a highertemperature can result in nozzles expelling more ink volume than can behandled by the exit orifice of the nozzle. This can harm print qualityby expelling ink in an unsuitable trajectory. This reduces the accuracyof printed indicia and may result in inaccurate graphic images andcharacter shapes.

In some situations excess temperature can also cause a backfirecondition within the firing chamber of the inkjet printer. Thiscondition forces vaporized ink into the feeder ducts which supply thestaging area. This backfire effect can produce air pockets which preventthe capillary action within a duct when drawing ink therein. As a resultthe inkjet printer can lose its ability to get ink to the nozzles andcan no longer print.

In some exemplary embodiments the effect of higher temperatures isaddressed by operating the at least one controller to cause the firingenergy of the nozzles on an inkjet printer to be reduced. In exemplaryembodiments the temperature in the reservoir or in another locationwhich is likely to be relatively indicative of the temperature of theink in the reservoir, is sensed such as by using the thermistor or othertype sensor as previously discussed. The at least one controller thenoperates to cause the firing energy of the nozzles to be reduced. Thereduction in firing energy may be based on the thermal differencebetween the operating temperature and a boiling point associated withthe particular type of ink.

In exemplary embodiments the firing energy can be controlled by eitheradjusting the applied potential to the firing of the inkjet nozzle, orthe time during which the inkjet nozzle is fired. In some embodimentsboth the applied potential and the time may be varied.

In an exemplary embodiment at least one controller determines thetemperature via signals input to the controller from the temperaturesensor. The controller then operates in accordance with its programmingto adjust the width of the electrical pulse which causes the nozzlefiring so that with increasing temperature the pulse width is reduced.For example if 30 micro joules of energy is required to fire a nozzle at25 degrees Celsius which is a normal room temperature, at elevatedtemperatures the firing energy would be reduced as determined by thefollowing equation:

${{firing}\mspace{14mu}{energy}} \cong \frac{{{ink}\mspace{14mu}{boiling}\mspace{14mu}{point}} - {{sensed}\mspace{14mu}{operating}\mspace{14mu}{temperature}}}{{{boiling}\mspace{14mu}{point}} - {25\mspace{14mu}{degrees}\mspace{14mu}{Celsius}}}$

Thus as can be appreciated the amount of firing energy from the normal30 micro joules at room temperature is reduced as a function of theelevated temperature and the ink boiling point. Of course this approachis exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.Further it should be appreciated that the approach described for dealingwith high temperatures may be combined with the approach of using acooling device to cool the ink at high temperatures, as well as theapproach of heating the ink to maintain suitable operating properties atlow ink temperatures.

Another environmental condition to which an automated banking machinemay be exposed are various levels of humidity. Low humidity can effectinkjet printers by drying ink near the exit orifice of the inkjetnozzle. Such dried ink can be in partial or fully blocking relation ofthe nozzle causing a reduced orifice area and poor print quality, or incases of total blockage, print failure. As can be appreciated the use ofthe printhead wiper previously described may be effective to minimizethe risk of nozzle blockage. However in some situations wiping theoutlet orifice of the nozzles may not be sufficient to prevent ink fromdrying therein in partial or complete blocking relation of the nozzles.

To address the effects of humidity an exemplary embodiment includesprogramming the at least one controller to operate so as to fire thenozzles of the inkjet printer at times when the inkjet printer is notnormally operating to print indicia on items. This firing will generallyprevent ink from drying in blocking relation of the nozzles. Anexemplary embodiment includes causing the at least one controller tooperate so as to cause firing of the inkjet nozzles. This may includefor example causing background firing of the nozzles as previouslydescribed so as to keep the nozzles and the orifice areas thereof moresatiated with liquid ink. Such background firing may operate to limitthe buildup of dry caked ink that could otherwise dry in blockingrelation of the exit orifices of the nozzles.

In some exemplary embodiments a humidity sensing device is in operativeconnection with one or more controllers. Such humidity sensing devicesmay include, for example, thin film polymer capacitance sensors or CMOSmicro-machined chip type sensors. The humidity sensing device providessignals responsive to the humidity level. Such one or more controllersoperate to cause the firing of the inkjet nozzles are programmed so thatthe nozzles are operated to fire more frequently responsive to a senseddecrease in the humidity at the machine. Alternatively or in additionthe controller may operate to cause the nozzles to be fired with moreenergy in response to decreasing humidity. Likewise the controller mayoperate to cause the nozzles to be fired at a lesser frequency and/orwith less energy responsive to increasing humidity until the humidity issensed to be a level at which the controller determines that no furtherfiring separate from the printing of indicia on deposit items isrequired to avoid ink from drying in blocking relation of the nozzles.

Alternatively or in addition embodiments may operate so that backgroundfiring to avoid ink from drying in blocking relation of the nozzles iscarried out as a function of sensed temperature and/or the boiling pointof the ink. As can be appreciated the temperature may have an impact onthe tendency of the ink to dry in blocking relation of the nozzles.Similarly the boiling point of the ink may be used as previouslydiscussed, in calculating the appropriate firing energy. One or morecontrollers which cause the operation of the inkjet printer may operateso as to consider these parameters in operating the nozzles so as toreduce the risk of ink drying in blocking relation of the nozzles. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

Another environmental parameter which may effect the operation of aninkjet printer in an automated banking machine is the elevation at whichthe machine is operated. Changes in elevation relative to sea leveleffect inkjet printing due to the effect of elevation on the ink'sboiling point. As altitude increases the boiling point of the ink isreduced. As a result less energy is required to boil and/or otherwiseexpel ink from the nozzles. Similar to the problems encountered inprinting at higher temperatures, increased altitude causes the ink tobecome more volatile and more responsive to applied firing energy. As aresult operating the automated banking machine at higher altitude canresult in poor print quality and/or print failure.

In exemplary embodiments printing at higher elevations is improved byproviding to the one or more controllers operating in the machine atleast one altitude value indicative of the elevation at which thebanking machine will be operated to carry out transactions. The at leastone altitude value may be stored in memory associated with thecontroller and the at least one controller operates to control theprinter in response thereto. In some embodiments the altitude values canbe input to the computer through input devices such as a keypad. Otherembodiments may include altitude sensing devices which provide signalsindicative of altitude. These may include, for example, electronicabsolute pressure sensors that provide output signals that correspond tothe current altitude. It should be understood that for purposes of thisdisclosure sensing altitude shall mean the same thing as sensingatmospheric pressure, and vice versa.

In an exemplary embodiment the firing energy of the nozzles is reducedin accordance with the reduced boiling point that results from theincreased elevation. Boiling point data may be input through inputdevices and/or stored in memory. As a result the controller is enabledto compensate for the boiling point depression by adjusting the firingenergy in accordance with a modified form of the equation previouslydiscussed in connection with adjusting the firing energy for increasedtemperatures. This modified equation is as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{ratio}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{nozzle}} \\{{firing}\mspace{14mu}{energy}}\end{matrix} \cong \frac{{{boiling}\mspace{14mu}{point}\mspace{14mu}{at}\mspace{14mu}{indicated}\mspace{14mu}{altitude}} - {{ink}\mspace{14mu}{temperature}\mspace{14mu}{sensed}}}{{{boiling}\mspace{14mu}{point}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{ink}\mspace{14mu}{at}\mspace{14mu}{reference}\mspace{14mu}{altitude}} - {25\mspace{14mu}{degrees}\mspace{14mu}{C.}}}$

For example if the operational temperature sensed by the temperaturesensor is 55 degrees Celsius and the boiling point of the ink at areference altitude such as at sea level is 85 degrees Celsius and if theboiling point of the ink as calculated by the at least one controllerbased on the at least one altitude value is 75 degrees Celsius, therequired firing energy for the indicated altitude would only be half ofthe firing energy required at the reference altitude such as at sealevel. As can be appreciated this reduction in firing energy can besignificant. As previously discussed firing with excess energy canresult in backfire or other printing problems. Therefore operating atnormal reference energy levels when the automated banking machine isconducting transactions at significantly higher elevations can result inserious problems.

Of course as can be appreciated the approach of adjusting the energy offiring as a function of the changes in altitude at which the machineoperates can be used in combination with the other features previouslydiscussed, such as controlling the operation of the inkjet printer inresponse to changes in humidity as well as operating the printer tomaintain suitable operational qualities at low temperatures. In additionin some embodiments other environmental, operational or media parametersmay be considered in the programming of the one or more controllers thatcause the operation of the inkjet printer so as to maintain satisfactoryquality.

It should further be understood that while in the exemplary embodimentdiscussed herein the printing of indicia is discussed in connection witha deposit envelope which is received in and/or dispensed from anautomated banking machine, the principles discussed may also be appliedto other types of items. Such items may include for example checks orother instruments which are deposited in the ATM machine. For examplechecks may be received in machines in a manner like that shown in U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 60/537,581 filed Jan. 12, 2004 thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternativelyor in addition such printing may be conducted on items such as is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,111 the disclosure of which is also incorporatedherein by reference. As shown in such incorporated disclosure, inkjetprinters may be used to mark on items such as checks, transactionreceipts, statements or other items that are received in or produced byan automated banking machine.

Alternatively or in addition in some embodiments printing may beconducted on currency bills or other items that are received in the ATM.Such printing may be conducted to identify currency bills that aredetermined to be suspect or counterfeit. Alternatively or in additionsuch printing may operate to identify the individual and/or thetransaction in which the currency bills are input to the machine.Further in some embodiments the nature of the ink printed may beremovable or may be permanent depending on the type of marking desiredand/or the condition or information being indicated through the marking.An example an automated banking machine that carries out such marking isshown in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/141,978 filed May 7, 2002 thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Of course itshould be understood that the foregoing approaches related tocontrolling operation of an inkjet printer in an automated bankingmachine are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

One or more controllers may be operated in embodiments to cause theoperation of the inkjet printer and control the operation thereofresponsive to environmental parameters sensed. Such controllers mayoperate responsive to software instructions. Such instructions compriseinstructions executable by a computer, to carry out the functions andmethods associated with operating the inkjet printer. Such articlesbearing computer executable instructions may include any suitablearticle for holding such instructions which can be read and executed bya computer such as for example a hard disk, CD, DVD, PROM, ROM, solidstate memory, or magnetic or electronic storage device.

In some embodiments, the at least one controller in the machine mayoperate to extend the period of time during which an inkjet printer mayoperate before running out of ink. In such embodiments the at least onecontroller may operate to determine when the amount of ink available ina reservoir associated with the inkjet printer has reached a level atwhich it is desired to begin conserving ink. Once the available ink hasdeclined to the level, the at least one controller may operate inaccordance with its programming to adjust the operation of the inkjetprinter so that a lesser amount of ink is used. In printing indicia on adeposit item, in exemplary embodiments the controller operates to causethe inkjet printer to fire the nozzles with less firing energy, so thatless ink is expelled. The lessening of the firing energy relative tonormal operation may include reducing the electrical potential, timeduration, pulse width, or other change that results in a lower amount ofink being discharged from the nozzles. In some exemplary embodiments,the reduced ink output from the nozzles results in lighter but stilllegible printing. In other embodiments, the controller may alternativelyor additionally be programmed to avoid the printing of certain indiciathat would otherwise be printed when a supply of ink above the level isavailable. Such indicia that may be eliminated may include in someembodiments data associated with the deposit item that can be derivedfrom other sources, such as for example a time of the transaction, anATM identifier, or other data that need not be printed on the itemdirectly in order to be known for processing. Of course these approachesare exemplary.

The at least one controller in the machine may operate in numerous waysto know when the available supply of ink associated with the inkjetprinter has declined to a level where conservation of ink is desirable.For example, in some embodiments the ATM may include sensors that sensewhen an ink cartridge has been replaced with a new cartridge. In otherembodiments a servicer replacing the ink cartridge may provide one ormore inputs through an input device to indicate to the at least onecontroller that the ink cartridge has been replaced. In still otherembodiments, an ink-holding reservoir may be refilled or replacedwithout changing the inkjet print head that includes the nozzles. Inklevel sensing devices may sense the level of ink in the reservoir.Various ways can be employed in embodiments to enable the at least onecontroller in the machine to determine that the ink supply has beenreplenished.

In some embodiments the at least one controller may operate to monitorthe printing activity conducted by the inkjet printer. This may include,for example, maintaining a running tally of the amount of charactersprinted since the ink supply was replenished. Alternatively, approachessuch as counting the number of nozzle firings, the firing energy, thenumber of deposit items, the number of lines, the lineal length ofprinting, or other parameters may be used as a basis for calculating theremaining level of ink available for printing. In still otheralternative embodiments, provision may be made for sensing with at leastone sensor a level of ink remaining available in connection with aninkjet printer. Such sensing may include, for example, using a levelsensor in connection with the ink reservoir to determine the ink level.Alternatively, sensors such as weight sensors, optical sensors, sonicsensors or other devices suitable for determining a quantity of inkwhich correlates to and which for purposes hereof is the same as an inklevel may be used for sensing the amount of ink in connection with theinkjet printer available for printing.

Once the level of available ink is sensed as having fallen to a levelwhere thereafter the at least one controller operates to conserve ink,the at least one controller may monitor the printed indicia produced bythe inkjet printer on deposit items. Such monitoring may be accomplishedthrough optical or other types of sensors to assure that sufficient inkis being deposited on the deposit items so that the indicia produced arelegible. Reflectance type optical sensors or other sensors may be usedfor this purpose. The signals from the sensors are used by the at leastone controller in accordance with its programming to confirm thatsufficient ink is still available to achieve legible printing.

In some embodiments, when the level of ink is determined as being at alevel where it is desirable to reduce the amount of ink being used, theat least one controller may operate in accordance with programming tosend at least one signal. Such signals may be operative to cause the ATMto send a message to a remote system. Such a message may indicate to aservicer or other entity that there is a need to replenish the inksupply associated with the inkjet printer. In exemplary embodiments,such a message may be communicated in a manner like that shown in U.S.Pat. No. 5,984,178, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. Of course, such approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the controller operates to beginconserving ink, the sensors operating to sense the legibility of theindicia on the deposit items may produce signals which indicate that theindicia is not sufficiently dark so as to be legible. In response, thecontroller may operate in accordance with its programming to increasethe firing energy applied to the nozzles so that sufficient ink isdischarged to produce legible indicia while still conserving as much inkas possible. This may be done by the at least one controller operatingand adjusting the firing energy of the nozzles responsive to thedarkness of printing as sensed by the sensors. In addition oralternatively in some embodiments, the at least one controller mayoperate in accordance with its programming to adjust the firing energyof the inkjet printer responsive to other sensed parameters such astemperature, humidity and altitude of the ATM. Such adjustment mayenable the controller to cause the inkjet printer to operate in waysthat will enable the available supply of ink to last an extended perioduntil the ink supply can be replenished.

In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one ATM may operate tocontinue printing indicia using reduced quantities of ink until all ofthe available ink has been utilized. When this occurs, sensors whichoperate to detect that the indicia being produced is legible willprovide at least one signal to the at least one controller to indicatethat indicia is no longer being printed in a legible manner. In responseto determining that indicia is no longer being sensed as legiblyprinted, the at least one controller may take action to attempt toreinstate printing. This may include, for example, operating the machineto wipe the nozzles, increase the firing energy, attempt cleaning of thenozzles or combinations of other steps as appropriate to determine ifprinting can be reinstated. Alternatively or in addition, the at leastone controller may operate to send at least one signal to indicate thatindicia is no longer being printed. Such a signal may result in acommunication to a remote system in the manner previously discussed toindicate that printing is no longer being accomplished and thatimmediate servicing is needed. Alternatively, such a signal may be usedto adjust operation of certain devices in the machine. This may include,for example, changing the operation of the machine so that it no longeraccepts deposit items. Alternatively, such a signal may cause themachine to indicate through a display or an output device that certaintransactions cannot be accomplished, and/or that particular documentswill no longer be provided from the machine. Of course, the particularapproach taken depends on the functions of the automated banking machinewith which the inkjet printer is associated. Of course, these approachesare exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The deposit holding container 128 and associated structures used in anexemplary embodiment are now described in connection with FIGS. 58through 66. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the container128 comprises a holding body 426 which is comprised of generally rigid,plastic material. The holding body 426 includes a pair of outwardextending lip portions which include retaining lips 428 which in theoperative position of the container extends horizontally. A projectingportion 430 extends on the container generally vertically upward abovethe lips 428. In the exemplary embodiment the projecting portionincludes a plurality of apertures 432.

A housing 434 is sized to engage projecting portion 430. The housing 434includes projecting clip members therein which are adapted to engage theapertures 432 in the projecting portion. As shown in FIG. 60, thehousing 434 includes surfaces adapted to both overlie and underlie theprojecting portion 432.

A generally flexible tambour door 436 is adapted to engage housing 434.Tambour door 436 is preferably comprised of plastic material andincludes a generally rigid end portion 438 and a generally flexibleportion 440. The flexible portion of the exemplary embodiment iscomprised of connected transversely extending slat structures. Endportion 438 includes a generally rigid, upward-extending ledge 442, thepurpose of which is later discussed in detail. The transverse ends offlexible portion 440 include a plurality of T-shaped cover projections444. As best shown in FIG. 60 housing 434 includes a recessed trackportion 446 on each transverse side thereof. Projections 444 extend inand are enabled to move along the track.

A cover 448 fits in snapped, overlying relation of housing 434. Cover448 includes a track portion 450 which corresponds to track portion 446and overlies projections 444. The track portions form a surroundingtrack in which the cover protections are constrained to move. Cover 448engages housing 434 in fixed relation such that once they are joinedthey are not readily separated, and thus the projections 444 attached tothe tambour door are enabled to slide in the tracks formed by portion446 and 450 so as to enable the tambour door to selectively open andclose an opening 452 that extends through the cover. As the tambour doormoves to the open position, the flexible portion of the tambour doormoves into the interior area of the container. In the exemplaryembodiment cover 448 also includes an opening 454 for mounting acylinder key lock therein. The key lock associated with a cylinder inopening 454 may be used for purposes that are later discussed. Furtherin the exemplary embodiment a handle 456 is pivotally mounted inconnection with ears 458 that are molded into holding body 426.

In the exemplary embodiment, the deposit holding container 128 isreleasibly mounted within a chest portion of the banking machine. Inoperation of the exemplary embodiment only authorized persons areenabled to have access to the chest portion. However, in the exemplaryembodiment other portions of the deposit accepting mechanism such asthose components which are supported above the base 144 are adapted tobe positioned in the cabinet portion and outside the chest. While thisfacilitates servicing of those components outside the chest, it maypresent risks. Unauthorized persons who gain access to areas of themachine outside the chest may attempt to gain access to the interior ofthe deposit holding container through the tray opening 204, whichcorresponds to an opening in the dividing wall that bounds the top ofthe chest. This must necessarily be accomplished, however, by moving themechanisms which provide for dispensing of envelopes and movingenvelopes to and from the outer end 122. In embodiments where suchmechanisms are mounted in supporting connection with the chest in waysthat prevent such mechanisms from being cleared away, this may provideadequate security.

In other embodiments, however, it may prove desirable to facilitate moreready servicing of the deposit-accepting mechanism that is positionedabove the secure chest. This is accomplished in some embodiments bymounting the base 144 in movable supporting connection with slides 460which are shown in FIG. 8. In exemplary embodiments the slides are insupporting connection with the dividing wall and may be used to move thebase and deposit mechanism and components supported thereon away fromthe operative position so as to facilitate the servicing thereof. Insome exemplary embodiments a service door located on the rear of themachine to the cabinet portion may be unlocked and opened, and the baseand other associated components moved outward there through insupporting connection with the slides 460. Because in such embodimentsthere is a risk that unauthorized persons may gain access to the areaabove the chest and move the mechanism so as to access the depositenvelope opening in the top of the chest, it may be appropriate toprovide a mechanism for reducing the risk of this. This is done in theexemplary embodiment through an interlock mechanism that is shown inconnection with FIGS. 63 through 66.

In this exemplary form of the interlock mechanism container 128 issupported within the secure chest by engagement of the lower side ofeach lip portion 428 along each long side of the container with aninward extending projection 462 located on each side of the container(see FIG. 65). Projections 462 enable the container to be slid into andout of the operative position when the door to the secure chest portionis unlocked and open. In an exemplary embodiment the orientation of thecontainer and chest door is such that the container cannot be moved fromthe operative position unless the chest door is open. A latch 464 of theinterlock mechanism which is rotatable about a pivot 466 includes aprojection 468. The projection 468 is aligned with an opening 470 in thedividing wall bounding the chest portion and is operative to engage anopening 472 in the base 144 when the base is in an operative position.

When the deposit holding container 128 is installed in the operativeposition within the chest portion, the latch 464 is engaged with thecover 448, which causes the projection 468 to extend fully upward andengage the opening in the base 472. This is shown, for example, in FIGS.63 and 64. In this position of the projection 468, the base 144 isgenerally prevented from being moved on slides 460 to a servicingposition in which the deposit mechanism is moved away from the depositenvelope opening. As a result, when the deposit-holding container iswithin the chest portion such that it may contain deposits, unauthorizedpersons who access the cabinet portion are generally prevented frommoving the base so as to gain access to the opening in the chest thatmay allow them to access such deposits.

However, in circumstances where the chest has been opened and thedeposit-holding container has been removed from the chest, indicatingthat an authorized person has secured access to such deposits, the baseis enabled to be moved in connection with the slides 460. This isenabled because the withdrawal of the deposit-holding cassette causesthe latch 464 to fall, retracting projection 468 from the opening 472.This enables movement to the base 144 in supporting connection with theslides 460 to a position in which the depository mechanism extendsoutside the housing. Of course, it should be understood that thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other interlockingmechanisms and approaches may be used.

A further useful aspect of an exemplary embodiment is the ability toautomatically cause the tambour door to be opened upon insertion of thedeposit-holding container into the operative position, and to furthercause the tambour door to automatically be locked when thedeposit-holding container is removed from the machine. This is achievedin the exemplary embodiment by the housing including therein a lockmechanism 474 shown in FIGS. 62 and 67. Lock mechanism 474 includes arotating member 476 which is in operative connection with a key cylinderand which can only be rotated from the outside of the cassette by havingan appropriate key in the key cylinder. Rotating the member 476 in acounter-clockwise direction from that shown in FIG. 67 causes engagementand clockwise rotation about a pivot of a latching member 478. Latchingmember 478 includes thereon a lock projection 480. Once moved to theopen position, a lock projection is temporarily held therein by atrigger member 482. Trigger member 482 includes an extension 484 whichholds the latching member 478 in an unlocked position against a biasingforce provided by a spring 486 which operates to urge the latchingmember 478 to move in a counter-clockwise direction as shown.

In the exemplary embodiment trigger member 482 is accessible through anopening 488 that extends through the housing 434. A flat portion 490 oftrigger member 482 is biased toward the opening responsive to biasingforce imparted by a spring 492, which is also schematically shown.

Extending on an interior face of end portion 438 of tambour door 436 isa formed latch projection 494. Latch projection 494 is contoured toengage lock projection 480 on latching member 478 when the latchingmember 478 is in the position shown in FIG. 62. In the exemplaryembodiment this enables the tambour door to be latched and held in aclosed position. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 62 and 67, after thekey has been used to open the lock, the latching member 478 is held inthe position shown in FIG. 67 by the action of trigger member 482 inengagement therewith. In this position the tambour door may be openedand closed as the latch projection 494 may move freely into and out ofthe area adjacent to lock projection 480.

Thereafter if the door is made ready to lock by moving the triggermember 482, the latching member 478 will move responsive to biasingforce to the position shown in FIG. 62. This is generally accomplishedby extending an arming pin or other projection through the opening 488so as to engage the flat portion 490 of the trigger member. Once thelatching member 478 has moved to this position, the next closing of thetambour door will cause the latch projection 494 to engage with thelatching member 478 and be held in engagement therewith until therotating member 476 is rotated counter-clockwise using the key lock.This is used in conjunction with an exemplary form of the invention toprovide the capability for inserting the deposit holding container intoits operative position, and thereafter causing the tambour door of thedeposit-holding container to automatically close and lock as it isremoved.

As is represented in FIG. 66, a downward-extending engaging lever 496 isoperative to engage the upward ledge 422 of the tambour door as thecontainer is moved toward the operative position in the ATM. When thedeposit-holding container is moved into position and the lock is in anunlocked position, the tambour door is moved to open by the slidingaction necessary to install it in position. In the exemplary embodimentthe deposit holding container may be installed with the tambour dooropen or closed, and if the door is closed it will be opened byinstallation. Further, the engaging lever is operative in the exemplaryembodiment to nest in a recess 498 which is formed in the end portion438 of the tambour door (see FIG. 69). This enables the engaging leverto engage the tambour door in the recess 498 such that when the depositholding container is removed from the machine, the tambour door is movedto a closed position. Thereafter additional force applied to thecontainer causes the engaging lever 496 to move out of the recess andallows the deposit-holding container to be removed from the machine.

Further in an exemplary embodiment a pin is mounted in a suitableposition relative to the deposit-holding container within the housing ofthe ATM such that when the deposit-holding container has been fullyinserted into the operative position, the pin extends through theopening 488 and moves the trigger member 482. Thus although the lockmechanism 474 is initially in the open position shown in FIG. 67, whenthe container is inserted into the machine, the tripping of the triggermember causes the lock to move to the position shown in FIG. 62 once thetambour door has been opened. Thereafter when the deposit-holdingcontainer is removed the lock projection 480 engages the latchprojection 494, holding the tambour door in a closed position so as tosecure the deposits therein until the container is unlocked by a personhaving an appropriate key. This facilitates the management of depositeditems and minimizes the risk of loss. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment because the components associated with the container arestructured in the manner shown, efforts to obtain unauthorized access todeposits within the container will cause readily observable evidence ofthe fact that unauthorized access has been obtained. Of course, itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment of thedeposit-holding container is that although the structures aretamper-indicating, it is nonetheless possible to achieve replacement byauthorized persons of the tambour doors in situations where the doorshave become worn or otherwise are in need of replacement. As shown inFIGS. 59 and 61, the exemplary form of the track 446 in the housing 434includes on a lower side thereof a frangible portion which is referredto herein as section 500. Further, the cover 448 includes a recessedarea 502 in the lip overlying the track 450 which corresponds to thefrangible section 500. Of course, it should be appreciated althoughthese features are shown on only one side of the container, exemplaryembodiments include such features in the tracks located on each side.

As shown in FIG. 59, the frangible section 500 may be broken at one sideonce the door has been opened, and the now movable portion displacedupwardly at the one side into the recessed area 502. This produces aninward facing opening in the track. Thereafter by moving the tambourdoor in the direction of arrow X and downward into the interior of thecontainer, the tambour door may be separated from the tracks by movingthe protections out of the tracks. When separated from the tracks thetambour door may be removed from the container through the opening and anew tambour door installed with the projections 444 extending in thetracks. Thereafter the frangible section may be returned to its originalorientation bounding the track and the new tambour door will operate inthe manner previously described. Further replacements of the doors arepossible by again moving the previously broken section 500 into therecess. Thus in this exemplary embodiment, the tambour doors which maybecome broken, worn or damaged may be replaced by authorized personswithout having to disassemble and reassemble the tops of the cassettes.This facilitates making exemplary embodiments in a manner which providesfor the generally permanent attachment of the various pieces andpromotes the properties previously discussed of providing an indicationwhen tampering with the deposit-holding container is attempted. Furtherin alternative embodiments the frangible section may comprise a sectionbounding the track which is movable but does not require any initialbreakage of a surface bounding the track. For purposes of thisdisclosure a frangible section will be considered a section that isdeformable so as to separate from an adjacent surface to enable thetambour door to be separated from a track, regardless of whetherbreakage of a member is required. Of course, it should be understoodthat these features are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

As previously discussed, in exemplary embodiments the base 144 whichsupports the deposit-accepting mechanism components located outside thechest may be movably mounted in supporting connection with the housingslides 460. This enables extending the depository mechanism outside ofthe housing for service and then enables return of the mechanism backinto the operative position. In such embodiments the bezel 242 at theouter end 122 of the transport must be made to align with acorresponding opening in a fascia of the machine. This may presentissues related to achieving alignment of the bezel with such fasciaopenings. To minimize the need for precise fascia alignment in someexemplary embodiments, provision is made to provide fascia sectionswhich are in supporting connection with the housing yet movable relativeto other portions of the fascia. This is represented in FIGS. 69 and 70in connection with an exemplary fascia plate 504. Fascia plate 504 is inoperative connection with the external fascia of the banking machine.However, it is mounted in a manner such that it is enabled to movesomewhat in two (2) dimensions relative thereto. This engagement isachieved in an exemplary embodiment through a sandwich-type structurebut in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As shown in FIG. 69 the rear of fascia plate 504 includes a pair oflateral guides 506 and a vertical guide 508. Further in the exemplaryembodiment fascia plate 504 includes projections 510 which form a pocketinto which the bezel 242 may nest in aligned relation.

As a result when the deposit-accepting mechanism is moved from aservicing position in which it is extended outside the machine on guides460, to an operative position, the bezel 462 engages guides 506, 508 and510 to cause the fascia plate 504 to move relative to the fascia to anappropriate position such that opening 512 in the fascia platecorresponds to the location of the bezel and the deposit acceptingopening in the bezel. As can be appreciated, this exemplary approacheliminates the need to maintain a precise aligned arrangement betweenthe devices and the fascia as the moveable fascia plate can compensatefor modest misalignment. Of course, it should be appreciated that thesefeatures may be applied to other devices as well which are required tomate with the fascia of the machine. Of course, it will be appreciatedthat these structures shown in connection with the deposit-acceptingmechanism are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

Exemplary embodiments enable the controller and other circuitry that maybe operative in the banking machine to sense conditions that may beindicative of conditions and problems with the deposit mechanism orother banking machine components. This is accomplished in an exemplaryembodiment by a series of sensors which are schematically indicated inconnection with FIG. 68. These sensors include in the exemplaryembodiment exit sensor 248 which is operative to sense envelopes orother objects adjacent to the outer end 122 of the transport. Inaddition, the exemplary form of the invention includes a mid-transportsensor 514 similar to sensor 248 which is operative to sense envelopesand other objects in the transport section and may be utilized inconjunction with sensing fingers that extend in slots 312 in section 290previously discussed. Sensor 232 previously discussed and which may alsobe similar to sensor 248 senses envelopes or other objects on the platenadjacent to the gap 188. A gate position sensor 516 is operative tosense the position of the gate through the positioning of actuatormember 360. An internal gate sensor 518 is provided so as to sense theposition of the baffle 196 relative to the base 144. In the exemplaryembodiment at least two (2) sensors are utilized for this purpose so asto facilitate sensing of the baffle in its different positions. Acontainer full sensor 520 is provided in the area through whichenvelopes pass to enter the container in order to determine if thecontainer is full. Further, a container presence sensor 522 is providedfor purposes of determining if the cassette is installed in properposition within the machine. Finally, a printhead sensor 524 is providedfor sensing the operative position as well as other properties of theprinthead. Of course, these sensors in their relative positions withinthe mechanism are exemplary. Additional or other types of sensors mayalso be used. Further, sensors of various types may be employed inconnection with embodiments to achieve these functions. For example,while contact sensors have been described in connection with the exitsensor 248, sensor 232 and the mid-transport sensor 514, other types ofsensors such as photo sensors, radiation sensors, induction sensors,sonic sensors, capacitance sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors orother types of sensors may be alternatively or additionally used.

In operation of the exemplary embodiment the sensors are generallymonitored for changes in condition and are operative to send signalswhich notify the controller or other circuitry of any change incondition. When this occurs in circumstances where the controller hasnot commanded the mechanism to be performing a function which wouldcause this event, an asynchronous event is noted by the controllingsoftware. The nature of this event is noted and the controller may takeaction in accordance with its programming to carry out an appropriatefunction. For example, if an item is sensed in the transport by themid-transport sensor, in circumstances where the controller has notoperated to cause an item to be within the transport, the controller maybe programmed to indicate an alarm condition. The controller may operateto notify an appropriate servicer or other authorities of a possibletampering activity with regard to the machine.

In a similar manner when the machine is operating to dispense envelopesor receive envelopes therein, the controller operates in accordance withits programming to sense if the sensors detect appropriate activities inthe proper sequence and at the appropriate times. These events arecompared through operation of the controller to stored data in a datastore which correspond to event sequences which are expected to occur inthe course of such operations. If during these operations an abnormalevent or an abnormal sequence of events occurs, the computer willoperate in accordance with its programming to try to correct theabnormal event and/or to record and give notice of tampering events. Forexample, if a user is requesting a deposit transaction and if as soon asthe deposit gate moves to an open position, the presence of an item issensed at the exit sensor within the transport before an envelope hasbeen sensed at the mid-transport sensor 514, it is likely that someoneis attempting to insert a burglar tool into the transport. In suchcircumstances the controller may operate to cause the machine to movethe baffle 196 to the appropriately closed position preventing access tothe deposit-holding container. Likewise, the controller may operate inaccordance with its programming to send a notice to appropriatepersonnel to advise of the suspected tampering event. In addition or inthe alternative, the controller may operate to cause associated camerasor other warning devices to operate so as to give notice of the eventand to capture information such as images showing the identity of theperson who was involved in operating the machine when such an eventoccurred. Of course, these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

While the exemplary embodiments has been described with respect todeposited items which are envelopes, the principles of the invention arenot limited to such items. The principles of the present invention maybe employed with regard to tickets, checks, money orders, notes andother types of items which may be deposited in or dispensed fromautomated banking machines. In addition, the principles described may beapplied in situations where operators of such systems need to acceptmonetary deposits or other items. Numerous alternative approaches withinthe spirit of the principles described will be apparent to those skilledin the art from the foregoing disclosure.

Thus the apparatus and methods described achieve at least some of theabove stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the useof prior devices and systems, solves problems and attains the desirableresults described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function, andshall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown in theforegoing description herein or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. A method comprising: (a) sensing humidity with a humidity sensor atan automated banking machine, wherein the machine includes a cashdispenser, an inkjet printer and at least one controller in operativeconnection with the inkjet printer and humidity sensor, wherein themachine is enabled to carry out transactions and the printer operatesduring at least some of the transactions to print indicia on items; (b)responsive to humidity sensed in (a), operating the at least onecontroller to control operation of the inkjet printer.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein in (b) the controller is operativeresponsive to humidity sensed in (a) being below a level to cause theprinter to operate at times other than when printing indicia on itemsduring transactions carried out with the machine.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2 and further comprising: (c) dispensing cash throughoperation of the cash dispenser of the machine.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3 and further comprising: (d) receiving a deposit item throughoperation of the machine during a transaction; (e) operating the atleast one controller to cause the inkjet printer to print indicia on theitem received in (d).
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein in (d)the deposit item comprises an envelope.
 6. The method according to claim4 wherein in (d) the deposit item comprises a check.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 4 wherein in (d) the deposit item comprises acurrency bill.
 8. The method according to claim 3 wherein ink expelledby the inkjet printer in printing indicia has an associated boilingpoint, and further comprising: (d) sensing temperature with atemperature sensor at the machine, wherein the temperature sensor is inoperative connection with the at least one controller; (e) receiving atleast one altitude value with the at least one controller, wherein theat least one altitude value corresponds to an altitude at which themachine or crates to conduct transactions; and wherein in (b) the atleast one controller causes each of the nozzles to fire at times otherthan when printing indicia during transactions responsive to temperaturesensed in (d) and the at least one altitude value received in (e) and asa function of the boiling point.
 9. The method according to claim 8 andfurther comprising: (f) reading card indicia from a card input to themachine by a user; (g) carrying out at least one transaction with themachine responsive to card indicia read in (f).
 10. The method accordingto claim 2 wherein the printer comprises a plurality of nozzles, andwherein (b) includes firing each of the plurality of nozzles at timesother than when printing indicia during transactions carried out withthe machine.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein in (b) firingthe plurality of nozzles at times other than when printing indiciaduring transactions, includes firing each of the nozzles at a lowerenergy level than al energy level at which the nozzles are fired whenprinting indicia.
 12. The method according to claim 10 wherein in (b)the nozzles are fired to print indicia during transactions, aid whereinthe amount of ink expelled from each nozzle is varied responsive tohumidity sensed in (a).
 13. The method according to claim 10 wherein in(b) firing a nozzle comprises constricting a space associated with thenozzle.
 14. The method according to claim 10 wherein in (b) firing anozzle comprises heating ink adjacent the nozzle.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein in (b) firing the plurality of nozzles attimes other than when printing indicia during transactions is operativeto expel ink from each of the nozzles.
 16. The method according to claim10 wherein in (b) firing the nozzles at times other than when printingindicia during transactions is operative to prevent ink from drying inblocking relation of the nozzles.
 17. The method according to claim 16wherein in (b) the at least one controller is operative to cause each ofthe plurality of nozzles to fire repeatedly at times other than whenprinting indicia during transactions.
 18. The method according to claim16 and further comprising: repeating (a) and, (c) responsive to sensingdecreased humidity in repeated (a), operating the at least onecontroller to cause the nozzles to fire more frequently in (b) at timesother than when printing indicia during transactions.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 16 and further comprising: repeating (a) and, (c)responsive to sensing decreased humidity in repeated (a), operating theat least one controller to cause the nozzles to fire with greater energyin (b) at times other than when printing indicia during transactions.20. The method according to claim 16 and further comprising: repeating(a) and, (c) responsive to sensing increased humidity in repeated (a),operating the at least one controller to cause the nozzles to fire lessfrequently in (b) at times other than when printing indicia duringtransactions.
 21. The method according to claim 16 and furthercomprising: repeating (a) and, (c) responsive to sensing increasedhumidity in repeated (a), operating the at least one controller to causethe nozzles to fire with less energy in (b) at times other than whenprinting indicia during transactions.
 22. The method according to claim16 and further comprising: (c) sensing temperature with a temperaturesensor at the machine, wherein the temperature sensor is in operativeconnection with the at least one controller; wherein in (b) the at leastone controller operates to cause the nozzles to fire at times other thanwhen printing indicia during transactions responsive to temperaturesensed in (c).
 23. The method according to claim 22 wherein in (b) theat least one controller operates to cause the nozzles to fire morefrequently at times other than, when printing indicia duringtransactions, responsive to decreased temperature.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 23 wherein in (b) the at least one controlleroperates to cause the nozzles to fire at times other than when printingindicia during transactions as a function of a boiling point of inkexpelled by the inkjet printer when printing indicia.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 22 and further comprising: (d) providing at least onealtitude value to the at least one controller, wherein the at least onealtitude value corresponds to an altitude at which the machine carriesout transactions; wherein in (b) the at least one controller operates tocause the nozzles to fire at times other than when printing indiciaduring transactions responsive to the at least one altitude value. 26.The method according to claim 25 wherein in (b) the at least onecontroller operates to cause the nozzles to fire more frequently attimes other than when printing indicia during transactions, responsiveto the at least one altitude value being representative of a higheraltitude.
 27. The method according to claim 26 wherein in (b) the atleast one controller operates to cause the nozzles to fire at timesother than when printing indicia during transactions, as a function of aboiling point of ink expelled by the inkjet printer.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 22 wherein the inkjet printer comprises an inkholding reservoir, and wherein in (c) temperature is sensed in the inkholding reservoir.
 29. The method according to claim 2 and furthercomprising: (c) carrying out a transaction through operation of themachine, wherein the transaction includes at least one of dispensingcash through operation of the cash dispenser and printing indiciathrough operation of the printer on at least one deposit item; andwherein the printer comprises a plurality of nozzles and wherein (b)includes firing each of the plurality of nozzles at times other thanwhen printing indicia during transactions to prevent ink from drying inblocking relation of the nozzles.
 30. The method according to claim 2and further comprising: (c) reading card indicia from a card input tothe machine by a user; (d) carrying out at least one transaction withthe machine responsive to card indicia read in (c).
 31. The methodaccording to claim 30 wherein in (c) the transaction includes printingindicia on at least one item through operation of the inkjet printer.32. The method according to claim 31 and further comprising: (e) sensingtemperature with a temperature sensor at the machine, wherein thetemperature sensor is in operative connection with the at least onecontroller; wherein in (b) the controller operates the inkjet printerresponsive to temperature sensed in (a).
 33. The method according toclaim 32 wherein in (b) the at least one controller operates responsiveto humidity sensed in (a) and temperature sensed in (e) to cause theinkjet printer to vary an amount of ink expelled when printing indiciaand to operate the inkjet printer at times other than when printingindicia during transactions, wherein ink is kept from drying in blockingrelation of nozzles of the printer.
 34. At least one article includingcomputer executable instructions, wherein the instructions areexecutable by at least one computer in an automated banking machinewhich includes a humidity sensor, cash dispenser, and inkjet printer,and which is enabled to carry out transactions in which the inkjetprinter operates to print indicia on items, wherein the instructions areoperative to cause the at least one computer to: determine a level ofhumidity through operation of the humidity sensor; and control operationof the inkjet printer responsive to the level of humidity determined.35. A method comprising: (a) sensing a humidity level with a humiditysensor at an automated banking machine, wherein the machine includes acash dispenser, an inkjet printer, and at least one controller inoperative connection with the inkjet printer and humidity sensor,wherein the machine is enabled to carry out transactions and the inkjetprinter is operative during at least some of the transactions to printindicia on items; (b) receiving at least one altitude value with the atleast one controller, wherein the at least one altitude valuecorresponds to an altitude at which the machine operates to carry outtransactions; and (c) responsive to the humidity level sensed in step(a) and the at least one altitude value received in (b), operating theat least one controller to operate the inkjet printer.
 36. The methodaccording to claim 35 wherein in (c) the at least one controller causesthe inkjet printer to vary an amount of ink expelled when printingindicia and to operate at times other than when printing indicia duringtransactions to keep ink from drying in blocking relation of nozzles ofthe printer.